Olio banning users incorrectly?

Gbuss666

Hi, have any other Olio users been banned and accounts deleted this morning? Both my wife and I got the same email at 10:26 saying we’re banned for having multiple accounts. We have 1 each, well within the rules, but we do need to use each others phones occasionally to list items. Looks like the new system Olio has in place has flagged this. Why they can’t see the same 2 people one the same 2 accounts one the same 2 devices is beyond me. I wonder if the new system was bought off the Post Office….

raachmarie

Hi same thing has happened to me, so my mum gets confused with the app so sometimes asks me to log on hers bare in mind we dont live together. and theyve banned us both said its multiple accounts. are you still banned? 

lindseyhodges

Loads banned here in last few days and for same reason, logging into their accounts on somebody else's phone. Its nuts and tbh very ungrateful these people for years have volunteered there time and petrol to help others and then get treated like this. Olio should be checking into each person not just an AI auto system that does not consider that there camera/battery/ data may be the issue that they need to log onto tgrir own account on a different phone. I could understand if these people were requesting maybe but there listing and giving food not receiving. I imagine many volunteers will now refuse to help I'm future after being treated this way. In the long run it's the poor who suffer as they will not have access to the free food and items these volunteers gave away now. 

Rosa_Damascena

I've not been affected but it sounds like its the unintended consequence of an algorithm-driven command, possibly to designed to stop a core subset of people from hoovering up all the goodies? Although how the error comes to the company's attention when people are being blocked from access I don't know.

bettyboo1923

Yes I was banned tiday along with granddaughter and daughter in law who dont live with me but sometimes use my phone to login when they're visiting.   I'm the only FWH in the area so now nobody locally who will be doing what I do!

bettyboo1923

Has anybody successfully had their ban lifted?  Olio will end up going under as so many giid FWHs are being banned for no reason.  There's nobody else in my area who collects from stores so now several stores will be throwing food away.   Added to the amount of people who have given up using Olio because of having to watch ads they'll  soon have nobody left!

Rosa_Damascena

bettyboo1923 said:

Has anybody successfully had their ban lifted?  Olio will end up going under as so many giid FWHs are being banned for no reason.  There's nobody else in my area who collects from stores so now several stores will be throwing food away.   Added to the amount of people who have given up using Olio because of having to watch ads they'll  soon have nobody left!

I do hope not! 

ETA: I've posted something along with the link to this thread on the forum. The powers-that-be may not even realise its a problem that requires addressing?

ziggycj

OP was this just from logging in to each others phones, or did you ever request from each other. The point was to stop FWH requesting from themselves, so using the same device shouldn't matter.

But yes, they are and have lost a lot of food FWH. The ones getting banned are likely to be the ones encouraging more users and supporting others to use the app (so they might be using same WiFi or device).

Rosa_Damascena

The post is getting traction on the Olio forum and has been picked up by Linda. How much closer that brings us to resolution I don't know, but at least there is awareness.

Its going to be quite a task for Olio to distinguish genuine users from those abusing the system, and we may have to accept that its not possible.

ukloks

Olio Exchange Ltd is subject to the law. It, the business, has to comply with the GDPR. Using data protection laws, you can make a Subject Access Request and a Request to Correct Inaccurate data.

The SAR request can include, inter alia, any data that was used in the decision to ban your Olio account. This includes information, evidence, or any other relevant data that was considered during the review process leading to the account ban. 

If I was banned, I would submit to Olio, by email and by post, these two requests made under the GDPR.

THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE!

TheEndIsNear

This is the second time it has happened to me! Once last year when I was wrongly accused of offering out of date food. I had to fight and show them proof that I never did that, I  they reinstated me, with no apology. I left Olio and deleted my account. I started again this year, and I got banned again last week. I had 5 stars reviews, shared widely, followed the rules. I did not have 2 accounts as the the last one was deleted. I sent an e-mail explaining the situation, and they are ignoring me. They have zero respect for their volunteers who work hard and make them money. They treat them like Amazon treats their employees, with contempt, like they are disposable.