Detour said:
I agree that it's inefficient and poorly thought out, but it's what we unfortunately have to deal with at the moment.
Thank you. Again, is there any way for me to get to the old comment sections of the old uploads?
Also, in the case you are looking to fix up the current system you use. I recommend swapping to a Distance Transformation algorithm or a perceptual hash rather than the traditional hash system you are currently using. It should only be a couple of lines of code to swap since you are undoubtedly using a library for the hashing anyway. A hash system can't hold up to any amount of editing or even the standard image compression that should be expected from transferring images around online. An Distance Transformation algorithm will allow you to grab slight edits along with large manips if you want. For a site like this and without an ability to remove hashes, I struggle to believe the current system helps more than it hurts.
The only thing the current system seems good at handling is active spamming of a singular image and, if that does occur, it still seems like it would be more efficient to throw the image into the same purgatory you throw the posts for new accounts into instead of just deleating it.