diff --git a/include/api.php b/include/api.php
index a35da5c524..6fa0aeea6f 100644
--- a/include/api.php
+++ b/include/api.php
@@ -1333,7 +1333,9 @@ function api_fr_photo_create_update($type)
 	$deny_cid  = $_REQUEST['deny_cid' ] ?? null;
 	$allow_gid = $_REQUEST['allow_gid'] ?? null;
 	$deny_gid  = $_REQUEST['deny_gid' ] ?? null;
-	$visibility = !$allow_cid && !$deny_cid && !$allow_gid && !$deny_gid;
+	// Pictures uploaded via API never get posted as a visible status
+	// See https://github.com/friendica/friendica/issues/10990
+	$visibility = false;
 
 	// do several checks on input parameters
 	// we do not allow calls without album string