Facebook

Here's what we're hearing from people all over the world: Facebook is shutting down accounts of users who are exhibiting any behavior it finds remotely suspicious. As paradoxical as it sounds, "suspicious" often means just using the site too much! Sometimes they warn people and give them the chance to change their behavior, and sometimes the account termination is sudden and permanent. Most of the time the disabled accounts will be turned back on, whether automatically after a cool-down period, or after prostrating yourself to the FB authorities. But sometimes they'll lock it up and throw away the key.

Facebook remains intentionally vague about what "bad behavior" looks like, and so it's no wonder that people get confused, angry or despondent when they get the ACCOUNT DISABLED message. To help people avoid having their accounts disabled, I've listed the most common reasons why people report having their accounts abruptly turned off. Keep in mind, that this list is almost surely incomplete, and until Facebook changes their policy to embrace more transparency and two-way communication we'll have to live with a bit of uncertainty when using Facebook.

Here are the things that (supposedly) will get you kicked off Facebook:

1. You didn't use your real name
Don't try to use a nickname (or initials)in lieu of the name on your birth certificate, because Facebook will find you and spit you out.

2. You joined too many groups
Remember that the maximum limit is 200 groups per user. More than that just looks desperate, don't you think?

3. You posted too many messages on a wall or in a group
Even Guy Kawasaki had his account disabled--in his case for "excessive evangelism."

4. You posted in too many groups, too many user's walls
You may be axed for being too verbose in too many places. That's what spammers do, silly. On Facebook it is better--or at least safer--to be seen than heard.

5. You friended too many people
Not so long ago this was a prime cause of disabled accounts, but Facebook has instituted a maximum of 5000 friends that should protect you from yourself.

6. Your school/organization affiliation is doubtful
The overlords are sometimes not very trusting, and they may accuse you of not graduating from Harvard (or Plum Senior High School). The impertinence! Better have your diploma ready.

7. You're poking too many people
We've heard this from multiple sources, and it's easy enough to avoid. Save the pokes for people you *really* like, as mum always said. But beware the odd FB app that pokes on your behalf.

8. For advertising your app on wall posts
The line between spam and self-promotion is a thin one, but let it be known that pimping your shiny new Facebook app is definitely considered SPAM.

9. Using duplicate text in multiple messages
Some people paste a generic welcome message into friend requests to save time. DON'T DO THIS! It makes you look like a spammer. (Ironically, pro spammers are probably randomizing their messages to avoid this trap)

10. You are a cow, dog, or library
Being a real person is not enough, you must be a homo sapien. Accounts have been deleted for cows, dogs and libraries.

11. You are under eighteen years old
According to one report a user's account was suspended when they suspected her of being under 18. She was required to enter a work email address to prove her maturity, at which point her account was reinstated. [note: other users have pointed out that being under 18 is fine if you're part of a High School group, though underage home schoolers have been told to bugger off]

12. You wrote offensive content
Reports of "sudden death" on accounts have been reported by users who were told they had posted offensive content, but were not provided details of the offense.

13. You scraped information off Facebook
They have a zero tolerance policy for page scraping (i.e. pulling content off their web pages via a script). Unfortunately, they don't have a reliable way of proving it's you who's doing the scraping (IP matching is probably as good as they can get), so you may find this a difficult charge to defend yourself against.

Finally, you may be disabled for no clear reason at all. One Australian member reported this staggering experience:

"I was blocked for a little while because I was 'misusing certain features of the site' Naturally I closely examined their conditions of use etc for some insight as to what I must have done wrong. I couldn't for the life of me find anything...

"Upon request for clarification I was told that they were not at liberty to divulge which features or of course any thresholds of use. Then they warned me not to do it again or I would be banned permanently without recourse to reinstatement."

You have been warned. Remember that the hand of justice is swift and merciless.

Facebook disabled my account, it took a week of emailing different customer support reps, but I finally got an apology and my account was reinstated/reactivated. Never got a reason, but who cares, I'm back and I think FB is ok.
http://FacebookEconomy.com

Facebook Complaints, oh how you have bitten the hand that feeds you.. and you know what happens now.

Well I've just about had it. I've had my account disabled for persistant misuse, I have not received one reply from my emails. I 've called the company and sent letters to the editor of every paper that I could think of ... including the local paper in Palo Alto where Facebooks headquarters is.. I think to myself, someone has to take notice.. but nope.

Nothing ... tick tock tick tock.

So i start reading a little more and turns out, Facebook has had a lot of complaints against them. Suprise suprise...

so much so in fact that the Attorney General of NY has ordered them to get an ISSE to investigate complaints. Well I think... Customer relations is not something to be taken lightly, so important in fact that companies who have not focused on this lost their business to other companies who knew that this was their trump. Facebook fails to realize that they can be easily replaced.. because in fact.. the best social utility.. is the internet!!!

Facebook needs an eye opener.

That administrator who so easily disabled your account could have used one of their own applications to have avoided this whole mess. yes .. Instant Messaging. Why did they not warn me there or verify that I was only replying..

Facebook needs a more detailed list of the code of conduct and terms and conditions, so people like me can understand why in the hell their account is gone? for replying to posts and letters? How tell me? Daily limit.. what limit? That s not in there... something must be done.

so I encourage you to contact the only sharpest pen in the can I call the internet.. the Attorney General of NY!

www.oag.state.ny.us/contact.html

I suspect if more complaints arise.. someone will listen.

Good luck!

Facebook needs to Develop Customer service and FAST

I've been waiting two days to hear why my account has been disabled for persistant misuse.. and still no one has contacted me back. I have been reading your forums and sent emails to everyone you could ever imagine. One little thing I noticed that I didnt' see here was on facebooks main page if you go to security, you can post comments to the Independant Safety and Security Examiner. (ISSE) there is a link on the security page. HOpefully.. this independant party will help develop better customer service and better procedures rather than allowing a disgruntled admin with the power to disable your account with one motion.. a better policy to be a guidline. And as well definitions of all these terms of use and code of conduct especially concerning persistant misuse.. (still scratching my head on that one) But better and more crystal clear exactly what are these offenses and what will substantiate a warning.. disable.. or even elimination. I have nnever ever dealt with a company with such poor customer service.. and with terms and codes of conduct that can be so easily altered to fit what they need or require that particular day! Better policies and procedures must be considered.

If facebook is a social tool, and someone like myself who goes online and gets wall posts, letters etc.. pokes,, are you not suppose to respond???? yes yes you are!!!

Ironically, facebook sent me a birthday wish as well and you can ber certain I really didn't care a bit if I'd heard from them... is that considered spam??? Should I report it?

So I urge others to go to Facebook main page then Security and then click on the link (click here) to contact the ISSE. Make a suggestion for better policies procedures, terms, and more clear user guidlines so we know what we've done. And .. that certain response times are imperitive. I suggested online help. Why not? If that admin is there and you're on line and they disable you while you are.. why can't they contact you then?

As well if you are interested and feel you would like to contact the CEO of facebook it is listed in company profile you can find his business number on this link
http://investing.businessweek.com/res...

Download your friend list in CSV format.
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Do it NOW before your account gets disabled so you at least aren't completely cut-off from your network.

Here's the "about" page.

i need my account canceled as soon as possible