The "getting a community ban" user experience is terrible

[PlentyOfHugs]

Context: "I've been a Adobe CC/CS customer for over 10 years and have occasionally posted on the community forums (probably less than 10 times). I browse the forums regularly to find solutions to problems I have."

I recently have been banned from the community forums - no idea why - but that's besides the point.

- I never received a notification/email about getting banned.

- I've never been given a reason as to why. Even phone support couldn't tell me.

- I'm no longer able to browse the forums?!

- On the logged in browser, I'm not even allowed to sign out of the banned account?! I just get "You're not allowed to access this page" or a 403 Error.

Why is the experience of being banned so terrible? Most other forums simply remove the ability to post? I'm having to use a different browser just to browse the adobe forums? It's a public website, why would you block signed in users to view what is otherwise public information.

The 'idea' behind this post is to change the banning system to be:

- More transparent.

- Still allow to view the forums.

[kglad]

what's the adobe id that is banned?

[PlentyOfHugs]

No idea I'm afraid. If there is any way to find out without having to login to the forums, I can report back.

[kglad]

when you log in with some adobe id, you are unable to post here, correct?

[PlentyOfHugs]

I'm unable to do anything on this website when logged into the account. I doesn't even let me see the homepage.

[Nancy OShea]

Your screenshot implies a technical error occurred, not a banned user account.  It's probably caused by overzealous security settings in your browser or anti-virus/firewall.

The correct Community link is this one.

https://community.adobe.com/

For best results, use a modern browser that doesn't block cookies & scripts or have VPN enabled.

I use desktop Firefox, MS Edge or Chrome without any problems.

Hope that helps.

[PlentyOfHugs]

Hey the support call I had confirmed it was a ban, just couldn't tell me the reason. Nothing to do with my browser as I can just browse the forums with this account with no issues.

[John Waller]

I recently have been banned from the community forums

What have you received that has given you that impression?

As @Nancy OShea says, the screenshot implies a technical error such as a connection error, not a ban.

[PlentyOfHugs]

My posts have been removed, support have confirmed it was a ban. They can not specify what it is.

[John Waller]

First I've heard of Adobe doing that with no reason given.

[kglad]

i don't think banees are contacted.

again, what's the adobe id you can't use?

[PlentyOfHugs]

Hence why I suggested more transparency. I contacted them via their phone support when I coudln't access the site, they investigated and came back to me to confirm it was a ban. I asked for a reason and they insisted on the fact they could not give a reason nor could I escalate the case.

I've just done some searching on the forums, I believe the id is 11244263.

I posted this to hopefully improve the future experience of banned users.

[kglad]

that's not your id.  my id is @kglad, the id you're using to post now is @PlentyOfHugs.

[Nancy OShea]

To clarify terms, a Screen Name is not the same as a Profile ID.

My Screen Name on this platform is Nancy OShea, but my Profile ID is a 7-digit number.

To verify, go to your Profile Page.

[PlentyOfHugs]

It says user id both in the api request and in the profile url bar. But if you go to that id's profile, the username is hugovdd.

Excuse my stupidity but how is this relevant to the conversation?

[jane-e]

I believe the id is 11244263.

By @PlentyOfHugs

Confirming that yes, this is your Adobe ID. Here is the page:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/user/viewprofilepage/user-id/11244263

Jane

[kglad]

so, the answer to my questions was @Hugovdd was your id and you were banned.

[PlentyOfHugs]

Yes, and?

[kglad]

it confirms you were banned and there's nothing more to be done.

[PlentyOfHugs]

Thanks for confirming what I said in the original post.

[kglad]

sorry, that was the only point to the questions.  to confrim you were banned.  many users erroneously assume they were banned just because they encounter a problem connecting to the adobe forums.