And now I am sad.
It’s weird isn’t it? I’m not one for getting down about these sorts of things. It’s just life, nothing personal. There’s no human in Facebook or Instagram towers looking through posts or monitoring likes or follows or suchlike. It’s not some vendetta against zxcxz or anything.
I understand that zxcxz is perhaps the most spammy, fake name anyone could have purposely come up with. I understand that it’s just a bot or a limit or set of limits that I’ve hit and there’s no single person actively trying to deactivate my Instagram account.
But it still irks me.
So what did I do wrong?
Well. I have done a search or two on ‘tinternet. The most useful resource appears to have been this: https://www.androidtipster.com/instagram-follow-limit-per-day/ but having read through it, I’m nowhere near these limits, and I’ve not automated anything.
Looking through Instagram’s terms, I’ve not contravened any that I’m aware:
You must be at least 13 years old.
You must not be prohibited from receiving any aspect of our Service under applicable laws or engaging in payments related Services if you are on an applicable denied party listing.
We must not have previously disabled your account for violation of law or any of our policies.
You must not be a convicted sex offender.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Nope, I’m fine with those, not breaching anything there. There’s a further section: How You Can’t Use Instagram. Providing a safe and open Service for a broad community requires that we all do our part. I’ll go through each of them here:
You can’t impersonate others or provide inaccurate information.
You don’t have to disclose your identity on Instagram, but you must provide us with accurate and up to date information (including registration information). Also, you may not impersonate someone you aren’t, and you can’t create an account for someone else unless you have their express permission.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check.
Well, looking at this one, I’m actively trying to be a bit anonymous on Instagram. I’m just zxcxz. but I’m giving my full details to them (but just not publishing my details). I’m not trying to be someone else and haven’t created the account for a Mr Zxcxz or something. It’s just me, but under a pseudonym.
You can’t do anything unlawful, misleading, or fraudulent or for an illegal or unauthorized purpose.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check.
Well, that’s a bit broad. But that said, I’m quite sure I’m ok here. All I’ve done is posted photos that I’ve taken, with my own devices. There are a few pictures I’ve created from screenshots or suchlike, but wherever required I’ve cited my source.
You can’t violate (or help or encourage others to violate) these Terms or our policies, including in particular the Instagram Community Guidelines, Instagram Platform Policy, and Music Guidelines. Learn how to report conduct or content in our Help Center.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check.
This is a little metaphorical can of pseudo-worms. There’s a number of links here, going through to other lists of ‘do’s and ‘dont’s. I’ve been through this lot, I wont bore you by copying them all here, but suffice to say, we’re all good here.
You can’t do anything to interfere with or impair the intended operation of the Service.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check.
Definitely fine here. It’s not like I’m performing a DDOS attack or something. I made a total of 67 posts over a couple of weeks. I’ve followed quite a few – around 600, but from what I’ve read, that’s small-change in terms of Instagram spamming. I had 180ish followers. #sadface
You can’t attempt to create accounts or access or collect information in unauthorized ways.
This includes creating accounts or collecting information in an automated way without our express permission.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check.
Erm? I’m just a person who made an account. I did it with my own bare-hands (if that’s a thing on the internet?!). No automation, save for the auto-pilot I sometimes find myself running in.
You can’t attempt to buy, sell, or transfer any aspect of your account (including your username) or solicit, collect, or use login credentials or badges of other users.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check.
Nah. Not even close. No way. Not applicable.
You can’t post private or confidential information or do anything that violates someone else’s rights, including intellectual property.
Learn more, including how to report content that you think infringes your intellectual property rights, here.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check.
As I said earlier up. I did post a render of a phone that someone had done, but again, I cited the source. Have I been banned for this? Surely not?
You can’t use a domain name or URL in your username without our prior written consent.
Instagram https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870
Check. Eeeerrrmmm… Just wait a minute!
Now here’s an interesting one. My username on Instagram was zxcxz.xyz. For the vast majority of cases and perspectives, this is not a URL.
BUT. In my case, it is.
See… In my defence, I do quite honestly plead ignorance here. I used this as my username because zxcxz had already been taken. By whom, I’m not entirely sure. Who the hell would want to use that stupid username? I assume someone who was testing something and couldn’t think of anything better to use…
Anyhow. This might be it.
I put my hands-up. Cuff me. Take me away. Put me in the brig, take me to the gallows and string me up. But in my defense (aside from ‘ignorance’ as already stated), your stupid bloody sign-up page should never have allowed me to use a URL!!!!
Sheesh. Why am I so bummed about this anyway? It’s just a stupid bloody Instagram account!
Have you had issues with Instagram? Please tell me it was resolved in the comments below!
