Rugpulled over $25 payout request

[jie_8284]

What does it say when a big 148 billion dollar company, Adobe, rug pulled me because I requested the $25 payout and deleted all my stock footage and deactivated the account in response?

[Jill_C]

What do you mean by "rug pulled me"?

[jie_8284]

When I say Adobe "rug pulled" me, it means they suddenly deactivated my account, deleted all my stock footage, and withheld my $25 payout immediately after I requested it. It felt like they abruptly withdrew their service and my assets without warning, just as I tried to claim my earnings.

The term "rug pull" comes from the idiom "pull the rug out from under someone," meaning to suddenly withdraw support and cause someone to fail.

It gained specific prominence in cryptocurrency and DeFi. Here, it describes a scam where project developers abandon a project after investors put money in, leaving them with worthless assets.

While rooted in an older saying, "rug pull" now vividly describes any sudden, detrimental withdrawal of services or assets, like my situation with Adobe.

[daniellei4510]

Adobe doesn't deactivate accounts without a reason. After all, if your assets are selling, Adobe is making a profit as well as yourself. Did you use the Contact us link when you attempted to access your dashboard to ask for details?

[jie_8284]

Yes, but they do list general categories of reasons, which even in EU is a gray area since account deactivations are not regulated.

[Nancy OShea]

1) Adobe doesn't clip the wings off Contributors for no reason.

2) To them, $25 is a mere grain of sand in the desert.

3) They must protect their reputation and customers who purchase assets.

When you requested a payout, your account was flagged for an audit, possibly due to complaints or unusual account activity.  

Did you read & understand the TERMS of your agreement with Stock?

• https://helpx.adobe.com/stock/contributor/help/submission-guidelines.html

If not, you may have been violating them without knowing it.

Unfortunately, ignorance is no excuse.  As stated in the TERMS, Adobe has the legal right to terminate Contributor accounts at any time. That's their prerogative. 

[jie_8284]

Yes, even more proof Adobe only provides general categories of reasons as an excuse for no wrongdoings.

[Jill_C]

The majority of contributors who come here complaining about their account suspension have committed obvious violations of the T&C's and guidelines. Over the several years since account suspensions became much more frequent (since the onset of AI) we've read about many of those accounts and Contributors who swear they've done nothing wrong, but then when more details are provided, the violations become clear.

Adobe has no incentive to suspend accounts without cause. For every $1 you earn in royalties, they earn $2. If your account is earning sales and is in compliance, it's safe.

[daniellei4510]

"Over the several years since account suspensions became much more frequent (since the onset of AI) "

Yes, I think we've both seen a couple examples of contributors who have been submitting photographs successfully to Adobe Stock for years, then decide to try their hand at AI. Then BOOM...they get suspended. When it comes to submitting AI, it can't be stressed enough how important it is to read the rules regarding same.

[Jill_C]

Why didn't you just say that your account was deactivated? It is common for accounts to be suspended for review upon the first payout request, and I believe such reviews have also occurred with later subsequent payment requests. Suspension doesn't necessarily mean that the account is permanently closed. If Adobe's investigation reveals no violations of their T&C's and guidelines, the account will be restored and the payment remitted.

[jie_8284]

Online Exerperiences say Adobe almost never reactivates after deactivation.

[Jill_C]

I've read about many accounts being re-activated both here in the Forum and in the Discord channel. Those may be in the minority but I don't think it's accurate to say "almost never".