Github account suspended: anyone already experienced this issue?

Offtopic
1

Hello,

I develop a new Julia package to parse and compute some Input Output modelling based on Exiobase data, and I just discovered that my account has been suspended by Github, without any further information.
I think about two changes I’ve made yesterday, but not sure which one could have caused this issue:

  • the creation of an umbrella organization on github (JuliaImpact) in order to regroup other packages development in the field of sustainable finance;
  • I’d set up an online documentation with Documenter.jl.

Does anyone experienced any issue with their github account due to one of this type of action?

Best regards,

Thomas

2 Likes
2

Maybe some incorrect and automatic spam identification? You should contact them: GitHub Support

1 Like
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I‘m very curious how this will end

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Well, I can’t through this link because you have to sign in. But yes, I’ve sent an email. Hope my account will be unlocked soon!

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Yeah I’ll post something if it appears that it is due to an error on my side while creating the github organization or publishing the documentation. Could be useful.

4 Likes
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Okay strange. I can use that link without being logged in, but good you found another way of contacting them.

7

Hello,

Still no news from Github support, I think I can forget my account.

Most probable source of the issue, according to my readings, is the fact that I created an organization on github while I had already my personal account and another organization. Main things to keep in mind: you can do some actions not authorized by the Terms of Use, without any warnings in Github, and then being dropped in the 24h. So, be sure to know the Terms of Use perfectly :).

I’m quite concerned by this issue. The fact that Github can suspend any account / any project at its own discretion, without any explanation, is quite worrying when you know that the vast majority of open source projects are hosted there.

Also the fact that Github, through Microsoft, is entirely subordinated to the American government is quite damaging for the open source world (cf. developers from Iran and Syria being immediately dropped by Github).

On the other hand, it’s not that easy to find a true alternative. For example, I moved my project on Gitlab and discovered that Gitlab pages are not indexed by Google. It’s quite difficult for an open source project of not being able to be found.

Best regards,

Thomas

5 Likes
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This certainly can not be the problem. I have created multiple organizations for example. Where did you read about this in the ToS?

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You’re right, the exact mention in the ToS is about « accounts » and it seems that an account is not the same as a « profile » (ie. Personal profile / organization profile).

By the way, I’d just received a message from Github:

Sorry for the troubles here. Sometimes the automated systems we use will incorrectly flag an account when it shouldn’t be, and that’s what occurred here. I’ve reset your profile, so you should be able to access and use everything as normal again.

So it seems that simply nothing was wrong.

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That is good to hear. Although, 8 days to sort it out is too long, IMO.

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@tlorans please ping me if something like this occurs again. I work closely with many folks at GitHub and can get these escalated.

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Hello,

Sorry for the delay in my answer. Thank you for you suggestion, I will not fail to do so!

Best regards,

Thomas

1 Like
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I also had my account suspended recently too, I tried contacting support and had no success.
It affects my account here in the discourse forum, since I used GitHub to login here and in other places.

2 Likes
14

I have very similar problem with my account as well

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how did you recover your account?

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Hi I just came across this topic and saw your comment. My git hub account got suspended few days ago and I have contacted them via email but their automated response says that they are currently experiencing high volume of request which suggests delay in attending to my request. My Github account username is ‘worthsalive’. Please can you kindly help me escalate this issue in any way you can. Thank you so much in advance as I look forward for your positive reply.