Account Suspended for Pokestop: Malicious Imagery

General Discussion
1

I moved into a new apartment a few weeks ago and started submitting pokestops from a plaza near my place.

I took photos of the outside of a billiards/arcade place, inside and out, and I wake up today with a 30 day suspension for Malicious imagery.

The photos were clear, and did not have any people in them, nor did I intend to break the guidelines.

I’ve had a suspension before because I submitted a pokestop using Google Maps photos which I did not know was against the rules, but this time I have no idea why I’m being suspended?

Makes me not want to submit stops if I have to worry about suspensions

2

You can appeal in the email that was sent to you. If its ok with you, can you share the nomination of the wayspot that cause suspension and the suspension email reason? It sounds like 3rd party photo suspension but i am not sure until i see suspension email

3

Hello and welcome,

How many new photos did you submit per Wayspot? This could be an issue, as submitting more than 4 at a time for the same Wayspot may be seen as spam, especially if they are identical/similar in nature. More info can be found here:

4

Hello and welcome @PichWhatsGich

Can you confirm that you received 3 emails about this, and the only referral that was made was to malicious images and nothing else?
Did you upload these photos to any online resource eg google maps?

You should follow the links to make an appeal which will be looked at. I believe you should be able to attach any evidence to demonstrate that these are your photos.

1 Like
5

I have sent you a DM explaining the violation(s). Please check.

I do not see any Wayfarer related suspension in the past.

1 Like
6

@elijustrying

I believe the reasoning is because I uploaded the Pokestop photo to a work instagram account I manage.

I submitted a Pokestop using the same photo I took and uploaded online to the account. I read the guidelines and understand why I would be suspended for that, but I’m just baffled by a 30 day suspension without any warning for using a photo for a Pokestop that I TOOK.

I can’t believe submitting a Pokestop using my own images to grow the game results in a ban.

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Attached are the images and the photo on the instagram account.

7

I also understand if the photo I took from Google, maps, etc. and then uploaded was inappropriate or violated privacy terms, but it’s clearly for the same business and my wayfarer account proves I’ve been actively submitting and reviewing stops correctly.

30 day ban with no previous suspensions for posting my own photo makes me want to stop playing the game, and no doubt stop supporting Niantic altogether.

8

Have you made an appeal?
Is there any evidence that you can attach to the appeal to demonstrate the timing of taking the picture, making the submission and posting in instagram?
I am aware that people have had this type of issue previously.

9

I have appealed twice but no image was attached, just an explanation of the circumstance.

I will see if they would address my concern, but I am doubtful.

Thank you for the quick response though, I appreciate your help.

10

I have no idea if they would reconsider or not.
However they are looking at “evidence” of the photo (albeit yours) being available on the internet.
If you are to stand any chance then you need to counter with evidence to back up what you say.
If there is no change then this is a painful lesson and you will need to use the time to decide what you want to do.