Expose:

My Facebook Access…

April 29, 2009 by Kyle Brady
Tags: Banhammer, Facebook, WTF
As required by the FTC, a Full Disclosure is available - this piece adheres to the Code of Ethics

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[Note: This has all changed... see the bottom for the updates and final result.]

Just so everyone is aware, I'm currently banned from Facebook.

My account still exists but they pretend it doesn't, and have disabled anyone from viewing anything associated with me.

Why?  Because I made a small error in posting something jokingly to a friend, and they freaked out.  I didn't receive a "we took it down, don't do it again warning", just a flat out ban.  I apparently violated their TOS, but was never notified of doing so, just received a ban.

This would make sense if I was a repeat offender.  However, I'm very good about what I do and do not put on Facebook, so this is my first offense.

And yet they banned me.

I have an email in to their "disabled@facebook.com" address:

I noticed my account is disabled, and I can probably imagine why... in hindsight, not the best choice.

However, this was the first time I've violated the TOS or anything even approaching doing so.  Based on this, can my account be reactivated, with a promise to not do so again in the future?

Thanks

And received this reply:

Hi,

The Facebook Team has received your inquiry. We should get back to you soon. In the meantime, we encourage you to review our Help page (http://www.facebook.com/help.php). There, you'll find answers to many common questions.

Thanks for contacting Facebook,

The Facebook Team

That was received at 10am this morning (4/29/2009), and I've yet to receive any sort of tangible response or otherwise communication.

You'd think that a big supporter and user of their products would be given a second chance, wouldn't you?  And it's not like I committed any terrible sins, just something slightly off-color.

Maybe they're right about the way Zuckerberg runs his company... irrational and juvenile.   I hope not, but if I don't get re-enabled then I'm likely to believe it, based on my specific case.

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Updates:

4/30/2009 12:30am PST: I'm now soliciting help from people who have Facebook contacts, or actual employees of Facebook.  Email me if you can help.

4/30/2009 9:00am PST: The Facebook "ops team" has been made aware of my situation, thanks to some certain people!  ;-)


4/30/2009 9:30am PST: I'm back in the 'book!  Here's what they had to say:

Hi Kyle,

Photo content that you uploaded has been removed for violating Facebook's Terms of Use. Photos containing nudity or other graphic or sexually suggestive content are not allowed. Unfortunately, for technical reasons, we are unable to provide further information about the removed content.

However, after reviewing your situation, we have reactivated your account, and you should now be able to log in. In order to prevent this from happening in the future, please refrain from posting photos of this kind and remove any that still exist on the site. For more information on conduct prohibited by Facebook, please read our Terms of Use, which can be accessed by clicking on the "Terms" link at the bottom of any Facebook page.

Thanks for your understanding,

Cassidy
User Operations
Facebook

Expose pieces are irregular posts attempting to hold people and organizations accountable for their actions.
Kyle can be found on Twitter and MySpace, or reached via email.