Our PayPal account has been frozen - right now we can not receive any donations for a super adgruntship that allows access to the commercial archives. :(
We've emailed and asked PayPal - who as you probably know just got bought by Ebay - what exactly we've done to deserve this.
Apparently, it is "adult content". They have yet to point out where exactly this site carries such content. In regular ads? Well, who would have thunk it? As this story progresses we'll let you know what's going on. I'm really sorry about it - apologies to all adgrunts who wanted an upgrade and can't get one via Paypal now.
Paypal's words on why our account has been frozen: "After reviewing your site, and in accordance with Section 11 of the User Agreement, your account has been closed."
That's it. Naturally, if you know any alternatives that you'd like to suggest we'd be happy, nay thrilled, to look into them. Again, apologies all around.
Update Friday 16 jan 14:58: Not that I can tell you anything new, but it is worth noting that 5 phone calls to PayPal and six emails later - we have still no more information as to why our account was closed, nor what we can do about it.
None of the employees we have reached on the phone thus far have been able to give us any more information. Only the complaint department can tell us why the account is frozen, and they are taking their own sweet time about it. (the first email was sent Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2004 15:40:25 +0100 (CET) From: adland's hostmaster [xxxx @ ad-rag.com] To: paypal-compliance@paypal.com yesterday that is.)
Their automated reply reads:
To appeal the limited access placed on your account, all references of PayPal as your payment processor will need to be removed from your website(s) and/or auction(s) -OR- remove the items that are in violation of our Mature AUP.
How does PayPal define "adult" or "sexually-orientated" material?
"Adult" or "sexually-orientated" material includes, but is not limited to:
* Any visual representation of human genitals presented in such a manner as to suggest sexual activity
* Any visual representation of any form of sexual intercourse involving humans
* Any materials which require that individuals be eighteen (18) or older (depending on the jurisdiction) to view or purchase those materials
* Any non-textual materials clearly designed to sexually arouse the viewer/reader, including adult phone or audio services
* Any items which, because of their nature or because of the item description, appear to be designed for use in sexual/adult activity
* Escort services * Any items which depict human sexual characteristics in a degrading fashion
* Any item that portrays frontal nudity will normally be treated as "adult" material
We've replaced all references to PP with 'p*ypal' on this site as the automated email does read "references of PayPal as your payment processor will need to be removed". Consider it done.
Well, just call me the pr0n-Queen.
Follow-ups <a href="https://adland.tv/opium-ad-removed>Opium ad removed - to please PayPal, albeit only temporarily so that I could get my funds back.
PayPal will not be back.
On 2004-06-28 we got rid of PayPal altogether as it only worked half of the time anyway.
