If an account is created on any specific server, like !Lemmy.world does that mean if the server does shut down, the account data is lost?
Also for username availability, could we create an account in a different server where the name is not used yet?
Yes and yes.
Your user “exists” on the instance you registered on. Think of it as creating a user on gmail, and a user on yahoo mail. Two separate users tied to each mail service. If yahoo mail were to shut down, all your messages in yahoo mail would be gone. Any messages you sent to gmail would still exist in gmail though. So, any posts or comments you had made outside your instance (on other instances) would still exist. You just wouldn’t be able to log in as that user anymore.
If the account user name you want is taken on lemmy.ml, you can sign up on lemmy.world or beehaw.org or some other instance, then browse from there. Keep in mind, that even if your “account profile” name is taken, you can still set your display name in settings to what you wanted.
I feel like it makes it easier for someone to mimic/impersonate another user. How do you know if that user is the actual user? I know you can open their profile but it’d be inconvenient especially in an active conversation.
This could lead to misunderstanding and even security risks.
You know what? You are absolutely right! Nothing is stopping someone from using the exact same display name, and posting a response as if they were the original poster. Hmm… 🤔
Don’t worry guys I checked it out it’s the same slashzero 😉
The one and only!
Thank you for a great response. +1 Lemmeducation
You are welcome! Glad I could help!