I'm not sure about that, I think the main difference is that in the past the concept of identity was not as rigid and well-documented as it is today. Additional

I'm not sure about that, I think the main difference is that in the past the concept of identity was not as rigid and well-documented as it is today. Additionally there were way fewer ways to identify someone, either in real life or through their writing. I don't quite want to say 'security through obscurity', though.