As a paying premium customer, I requested the full deletion of my artworks (1,104 pieces), which I had already manually removed from the platform. I performed this deletion myself several days prior. Despite this, all image thumbnails remain publicly visible on FAA's front end. Clicking any of them results in a "Page removed" message — proving that the deletion was only superficial. This is not a caching issue. It is undeniable evidence that FAA does not delete content on the server (backend); it merely disables front-end access. My first request (Ticket #*******) was completely ignored. Only after I submitted a second request (Ticket #*******) three days later, explicitly warning of public exposure, did I receive a reply — and that happened within just five minutes. The message came from the so-called "Community & Technical Support Manager." the one and only "Abbie Shores"! Her response was a generic template, blaming browser and site cache, while deflecting responsibility. She even provided misleading instructions on removing images from Google's index — completely irrelevant to the actual server-side issue. A very concerning fact:
She stated:
"Typically, we keep images on our server for ten days after an account is closed in case you decide to reactivate it." Translation: No matter how many artworks you delete manually, FAA will still retain them. True deletion only begins — allegedly — after you close your account, and then only after ten more days. This contradicts the user's control over their own data and exposes a deeper policy violation. What's worse: There is no formal confirmation of deletion, not even after account closure.
This absence of deletion proof — in combination with their stated delay — gives every reason to suspect that deletion in the backend may never happen at all. This is a silent and undisclosed content retention policy. I responded with a detailed technical rebuttal, explaining why her claims were false, and that FAA's system was retaining deleted content server-side — something no user cache could ever control. That message was ignored. FAA went silent after being confronted with factual contradictions to their narrative. Let me be very clear about why FAA is a structural risk to artists and creators:
- FAA violates its own Terms of Use by displaying and retaining artworks even after confirmed manual deletion by the user.
- FAA retains deleted content on its servers without proper disclosure, which may violate privacy and data protection regulations in several U.S. jurisdictions
- The platform is completely walled off: There is no phone number, no official email, no escalation route. Only a contact form — which often yields either generic templates or no reply at all.
- FAA offers no protection for uploaded artwork. High-resolution uploads are required and recommended, but security features are nonexistent. Their watermarking tool is easily bypassed — it is cosmetic at best. Any image can be copied and reused from Google without traceability or legal shielding.
- The "premium artist website" is deceptive. It is branded as a personal site, but entirely controlled by FAA/Pixels. The footer and system behavior are identical to FAA's main site.
Worse: any message submitted via its contact form is sent directly to the artist's private email, not to FAA — turning the artist into de facto support for orders, returns, and issues they have zero access to manage. This is not only misleading but irresponsible.
- FAA operates with layered opacity, giving the illusion of user autonomy, while maintaining full backend control over data, communication, and content retention — all without transparency, auditability, or meaningful accountability. This is not just a failed customer service case — it's a systemic and ethical failure. #If you are an artist or creator considering FAA: Don't.
#They do not respect your content, your rights, your privacy — or your time.
#And you are extremely unlikely to sell anything under these conditions. I wish I could say something positive about my two-year experience with FAA. Unfortunately, I cannot recall a single constructive or trustworthy moment — only negative ones, which will be the subject of my next blog post. And yes: my premium membership will not be renewed.
#If you are an artist or creator considering FAA: Don’t.
#They do not respect your content, your rights, your privacy — or your time.
#And you are extremely unlikely to sell anything under these conditions.
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