Correct. Though in most cases, when someone looks at the name honestly, it is very apparent why it was penalized.
The reports simply call attention to the character with the name, they do not themselves penalize the character. That is up to our staff, if the name is found to violate our policies.
He hasn’t been met with auto responses. As outlined in the post I link below.
That is a massive exaggeration and easily verified by anyone searching the Armory themselves. The screenshot your brother provided indicates 60. The search currently indicates 60. The majority of those, mind you, haven’t logged in for some time and very few reached a very high level. They are likely used as bank alts, which minimizes how often they are logged into and therefore, not seen by others to report.
The rules are not vague, they define a bad name as inappropriate. Specifically:
Names are subject to the same rules established above. Any name the player has the ability to customize—such as player names, BattleTags, and guild names—must be appropriate and inoffensive. Any name that violates our standards or disrupts the community will be changed, and additional limitations may be placed on the offending account per our discretion.
As I said, and an honest review of any potential name should be extremely clear on what names may or may not be against policy.
Additionally, if this game were free to play we would continue to have the policies that govern behavior and naming in it.
For the full reply: Account Ban - Inappropriate Name - No explanation - #26 by Vrakthris