http://forums.digitalpoint.com/faq.php?faq=rules#faq_posting_guidelines Account permissions are only upgraded if they don't have overall red reputation.
In this case, can I suggest that other people with red reps also have their permissions restricted, I've seen a few of them. e.g. - http://forums.digita lpoint.com/member.php?u=475230
I'm pretty sure the system changes automatically dependent on the reputation of a user and dependent on how many negatives you've actually received.