Advice, commissioner requesting art removal due to personal issues

[lavenderpandy.livejournal.com]

So, this came about months ago where an old commissioner requested removal of their commission due to their significant other having major issues with the artwork. The image was of their personal character with someone else's character which was not allowed in their relationship or something. I'm not entirely sure. As the commissioner described, it got to the point of constant arguments and threats of self-harm. I said no as the image was pretty much 2 years old and had obviously been spread to multiple places by now. I'll admit I asked that if they wished for me to remove the image, I would need a privacy fee paid.

That didn't go well and the commissioner went on an emotional tirade, blaming me for the discourse and "profiting" off their issues. I didn't respond.

Months later, the significant other asked for the art to be removed, explaining that the personal drama was still going on (ironically, the image was in their favorites on their page...okay???) They said they would pay the removal fee but instead I just broke down and removed the image and blocked both the users, telling the SD never to contact me  about any of these matters  again.


Did I handle this properly? What rule in my TOS would be a good way of handling this? I've had an usual number of people ask for their art to be removed at the beginning of the year due to miscommunication between the participants, but not with like this. I'm empathetic but I don't want my artwork weeded out due to emotional situations like this all the time.

Comments

[mazz.livejournal.com]

You were in the right to have that privacy fee.

They are honestly lucky you removed the image and didn't charge it after the SO contacted you. Tho I'm sure they will find other reasons to keep fighting because that whole situation sounds toxic as all get out and I'd have just removed the image and blocked them after the SO contacted me as well because no way do I want to be dragged into personal drama of someone I did business with.

[everainsley]

Yeah, this. Their personal issues have nothing to do with your art, and it's highly unfair of them to drag you into it, especially on an older piece.