Andrew MacDonald

NAME: Andrew MacDonald
CENSORSHIP: Account ban

What reason was given for your ban?

Sexual content, harassment and bullying, sexual solicitation.

Why do you think your post(s) was censored?

Images were reported for around a week, then removed, and then reposted on appeal. Think perhaps the frequency of constant reporting triggered the account to be automatically closed. All posts returned on appeal, so within the posting guideline.

One post removed for sexual harassment and bullying, was me flicking through issue 71 of Marquis Magazine after I had shot the cover. I have screenshots.”

Were you able to appeal and what was the response?

Appealed the image removal as mentioned, and they were reposted the following day. The account was deleted on the afternoon (GMT) of December 29th. Many appeals, friends and ‘fans’ also reported to no avail. No feedback at all from Instagram on the issue.

What effect has your experience of censorship had on you?

Initially, I was extremely deflated. As well as losing so many contacts, I also lost information from suppliers and models whom we were discussing future shoots and business with. It was a lot of effort over several years to get to that point, for it to be arbitrarily just removed with no prior warning, and no explanation.

You have to question starting again, whether it is worth the effort, the lack of engagement etc. Instagram seems to have gone from a photograph sharing platform to a shopping interface with a side attempt at taking on Tik Tok.

What’s one thing you want people to know about this topic?

What exactly is the intent and agenda of Social media platforms these days?