The only context I didn't mention is I set up an ad campaign the week prior to boost a post for the startup in question. I suspect that this is what triggered the ID verification a few days later, which resulted in an "appeal denied" email.

I can only guess. But I did receive a confirmation email about my avatar being taken down due to their policy; and the appeal message mentions "misrepresenting my identity".

>According to this, the reason they were banned is not due to their avatar

That doesn't really follow. Especially since they specifically said the avator is the issue:

>they removed my avatar for not complying with the TOS.

Though unclear how OP is talking about both avatar removal AND account ban? Feels like perhaps half the story.

How they got from avatar issue to a whole account ban I can't tell you but I'd imagine there is something in the ToS that makes it viable (impersonation etc).

Not saying it's fair ofc...but plausible

> Though unclear how OP is talking about both avatar removal AND account ban? Feels like perhaps half the story.

Timeline:

Day 1: Account is restricted/blocked, on login I'm presented with ID verification and a "we'll let you know".

Day 2: I receive an email as a follow up to the ID verification. "Your appeal has been denied and your account will remain restricted". No reason given beyond having "misrepresented my identity".

Day 2.5: Slightly later, I receive an email saying my avatar has been removed because it didn't comply with the TOS and I should upload a real photo.

I bet $10 that OP re-uploaded the avatar after having it removed the first time.

I didn't have it removed until after the account got restricted. I'll happily forward you the emails if you send the $10 to anything listed here: https://help.gov.ua/en/

No thanks. Good luck with that.

Sounds like it wasn't really a bet, then.

Not everything you read on the Internet is true.