Instagram ban, request for authentication

pate-ci0

Just had my Instagram account disabled yesterday. Tried to reactivate it and Instagram sent a code to my phone, and indicated the account would be re-activated in 24 hours or so.
However, trying to login today I got:
"Your account has been disabled for violating our terms. Learn how you might be able to restore your account. https://help.instagram.com/521372114683554"

presumably for following and tagging too often/too quickly. The link above took me to a short survey, basically asking if I was a commercial company (er, No) and then I got an email as follows:

"Facebook <instagram++aazrvhxxxkxho@support.facebook.com>

Hi,

Thanks for contacting us. Before we can help, we need you to confirm that you own this account.

Please reply to this email and attach a photo of yourself holding a handwritten copy of the code below.

99999  (my code was not this BTW!)

Please make sure that the photo you send:

- Includes the above code, handwritten on a clean sheet of paper, followed by your full name and username
- Includes both the hand that is holding the sheet of paper and your entire face
- Is well-lit and is not too small, dark or blurry
- Is attached to your reply as a JPEG file

Bear in mind that, even if this account doesn't include any pictures of you or is used to represent someone or something else, we won't be able to help you until we’ve received a photo that meets these requirements.

Thanks,
The Instagram Team"

Is this usual? Anyone else had this and re-activated their account? Bit of a pain if you live on your own and don't have a webcam....

gdmoney

I had this yesterday too. I think this must be the new way Instagram are punishing people for posting too much or too quickly. I got the same email, sent off the required photo but I'm still waiting to see whether I can have my account back.

What irks me is that Facebook / Instagram can take an eternity to remove hate speech from their platforms but, as soon as you dare to use them too much by tagging too many people, they are down on you like a ton of bricks.

Anyway, if you have a smartphone, use it to take a selfie with the piece of paper then transfer it to your computer using something like Dropbox. Alternatively, email it to yourself. Or access the email from your smartphone and reply with the photo attached.

topaz13

I had this last month. Sent the photo with the code, and heard no more! I spent many years building up the account and had it connected to my blog. I guess that it is now gone to the great Instagram graveyard! I'm now trying hard to build up a new account, but can't really find the enthusiasm, as I'm worried that the same thing will happen again at some point.