Appeal fo 30-day Suspension

General Discussion
1

Appeal Against 30-Day Suspension – Incorrect “Third-Party Photo” / Abuse Flag

Dear Niantic Review Team,

I am writing to formally appeal the 30-day account suspension issued against my Wayfarer account for an alleged “Malicious Submission” or “Third-Party Photo” violation. I explicitly state and assure you that this flag is an error, and I request an immediate review and reinstatement of my account.

The nomination in question was submitted by me on June 10, 2026. It features the newly opened KFC Pueblo de Panay. The system or reviewers flagged this photo as a third-party image, but it is 100% my own original photography taken live on my personal mobile device.

Please consider the following factual context regarding this submission:

Original, Real-Time Content: This photo was personally taken by me during the official grand opening day of KFC Pueblo de Panay on December 30, 2025.

Visual Evidence of Authenticity: The photo clearly features the temporary ceremonial ribbon-cutting item. This is proof of a live, on-the-scene photograph documenting a local event, not a polished corporate marketing asset or a stolen web image.

Timeline Verification: Because this establishment and its grand opening occurred right around my submission date of June 10, 2026, this exact framing, lighting, and composition could not have existed anywhere on the internet prior to my photo being taken.

I am a dedicated member of the Wayfarer community who strictly follows the guidelines to improve local mapping. I have never intentionally submitted fraudulent or stolen media. The high quality or clean framing of a grand opening photo should not be mistaken for malicious abuse.

I kindly request that a human member of the Niantic support team manually review the image metadata/uniqueness, overturn the incorrect “Third-Party” ruling, and lift the 30-day suspension on my account.

Thank you for your time, fair re-evaluation, and prompt assistance in restoring my account standing.

Attached herewith is my actual photos during the opening day

605526417_1233248585365511_5254657925059045178_n
605526417_1233248585365511_5254657925059045178_n1920×1080 335 KB

607430810_1233203338703369_6842565046937022154_n
607430810_1233203338703369_6842565046937022154_n2048×1152 264 KB

605521554_1233203302036706_7838105780575011553_n
605521554_1233203302036706_7838105780575011553_n2048×1152 295 KB

606894258_1233248888698814_8107696821928615978_n
606894258_1233248888698814_8107696821928615978_n1536×2048 153 KB

605428130_1233248938698809_6673320505903685969_n
605428130_1233248938698809_6673320505903685969_n1536×2048 187 KB

My submission

KFC qqq
KFC qqq330×514 40.8 KB

Anyone could help me with this matter will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

2

The exact picture is on Facebook, so that is likely where this comes from.

3

Yes exactly, the photos I also uploaded in facebook.

This is a case of an author uploading their own work to two different platforms, not a case of copyright theft or a malicious third-party submission.

4

This is exactly whats called 3rd party foto. You cant use photo used in 3rd party platform. Even if you take the foto yourself because niantic cant tell if the foto is stolen or no. I suggest you to explain why you didnt use recent foto and use old foto instead.

In the other note, KFC is most likely gonna be rejected because its a chain restaurant anyway. You can try submit the playground/mural inside it instead (if it exist)

5

Nope, I haven’t used the facebook photo, I used the original old photo. They just came from one origin. The photos I uploaded in niantic is exactly the same photos with the facebook.

So maybe that’s why they accused me for third party submission.

6

Yes i knew KFC will gonna be rejected but I tried. Not expecting for suspension.

7

Hopefully staff can take a look at this. Although when submitting you are warned to use your own pictures, its not as clear that you’re not supposed to share those images elsewhere online.

Are these images still on your phone in the gallery app? Maybe a screenshot of the date and all the images together would help show they are yours?

8

Here are the Photos

image
image1366×768 138 KB

image
image1366×768 113 KB

9

Hey @Emcee02 ,

I have shared the relevant information through a DM, please check it.

Thanks,

10

Thank you sir.

11

Thanks for providing the details @Emcee02 , based on our conversation in the DM, we have decided to revoke your suspension as a goodwill gesture. You should now be able to access your accounts.

Best,

12

Thank you so much sir.

13

I’m so glad you were able to clear this up.

14

Thanks sir. With humbleness and soft heart we can talk with the staff. Just prepare proper documentations for support.

15

Well infuture be sure not to to submit using foto used else where