diff --git a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Comment.js b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Comment.js
index 4fa7d234b..c3b7095e2 100644
--- a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Comment.js
+++ b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Comment.js
@@ -195,8 +195,16 @@ export default class Comment extends React.Component {
     editComment: React.PropTypes.func,
   }
 
+  editComment = (...args) => {
+    return this.props.editComment(this.props.comment.id, this.props.asset.id, ...args);
+  }
+
   onClickEdit (e) {
     e.preventDefault();
+    if (!can(this.props.currentUser, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY')) {
+      this.props.addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
+      return;
+    }
     this.setState({isEditing: true});
   }
 
@@ -239,7 +247,8 @@ export default class Comment extends React.Component {
     }
     if (can(this.props.currentUser, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY')) {
       this.props.setActiveReplyBox(this.props.comment.id);
-      return;
+    } else {
+      this.props.addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
     }
     return;
   }
@@ -468,7 +477,7 @@ export default class Comment extends React.Component {
           {
             this.state.isEditing
             ? <EditableCommentContent
-                editComment={this.props.editComment.bind(null, comment.id, asset.id)}
+                editComment={this.editComment}
                 addNotification={addNotification}
                 asset={asset}
                 comment={comment}
@@ -527,6 +536,7 @@ export default class Comment extends React.Component {
                 id={comment.id}
                 author_id={comment.user.id}
                 postFlag={postFlag}
+                addNotification={addNotification}
                 postDontAgree={postDontAgree}
                 deleteAction={deleteAction}
                 showSignInDialog={showSignInDialog}
@@ -545,8 +555,8 @@ export default class Comment extends React.Component {
               setActiveReplyBox={setActiveReplyBox}
               parentId={parentId || comment.id}
               addNotification={addNotification}
-              authorId={currentUser.id}
               postComment={postComment}
+              currentUser={currentUser}
               assetId={asset.id}
             />
           : null}
diff --git a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/EditableCommentContent.js b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/EditableCommentContent.js
index 1373707a0..5e4e354db 100644
--- a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/EditableCommentContent.js
+++ b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/EditableCommentContent.js
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import {CommentForm} from 'coral-plugin-commentbox/CommentForm';
 import styles from './Comment.css';
 import {CountdownSeconds} from './CountdownSeconds';
 import {getEditableUntilDate} from './util';
+import {can} from 'coral-framework/services/perms';
 
 import {Icon} from 'coral-ui';
 import t from 'coral-framework/services/i18n';
@@ -47,7 +48,6 @@ export class EditableCommentContent extends React.Component {
   }
   constructor(props) {
     super(props);
-    this.editComment = this.editComment.bind(this);
     this.editWindowExpiryTimeout = null;
   }
   componentDidMount() {
@@ -65,7 +65,12 @@ export class EditableCommentContent extends React.Component {
       this.editWindowExpiryTimeout = clearTimeout(this.editWindowExpiryTimeout);
     }
   }
-  async editComment(edit) {
+  editComment = async (edit) => {
+    if (!can(this.props.currentUser, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY')) {
+      this.props.addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
+      return;
+    }
+
     const {editComment, addNotification, stopEditing} = this.props;
     if (typeof editComment !== 'function') {return;}
     let response;
diff --git a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Stream.js b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Stream.js
index c912d1a72..165b3ce4c 100644
--- a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Stream.js
+++ b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/components/Stream.js
@@ -57,7 +57,10 @@ class Stream extends React.Component {
 
   constructor(props) {
     super(props);
-    this.state = resetCursors(this.state, props);
+    this.state = {
+      ...resetCursors(this.state, props),
+      keepCommentBox: false,
+    };
   }
 
   componentWillReceiveProps(next) {
@@ -68,6 +71,12 @@ class Stream extends React.Component {
       this.setState(resetCursors);
       return;
     }
+
+    // Keep comment box when user was live suspended, banned, ...
+    if (!this.userIsDegraged(this.props) && this.userIsDegraged(next)) {
+      this.setState({keepCommentBox: true});
+    }
+
     if (
         prevComments && nextComments &&
         nextComments.nodes.length < prevComments.nodes.length
@@ -133,6 +142,10 @@ class Stream extends React.Component {
     return view;
   }
 
+  userIsDegraged({auth: {user}} = this.props) {
+    return !can(user, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY');
+  }
+
   render() {
     const {
       commentClassNames,
@@ -150,6 +163,7 @@ class Stream extends React.Component {
       pluginProps,
       editName
     } = this.props;
+    const {keepCommentBox} = this.state;
     const view = this.getVisibleComments();
     const open = asset.closedAt === null;
 
@@ -171,6 +185,8 @@ class Stream extends React.Component {
         me.ignoredUsers.find((u) => u.id === comment.user.id)
       );
     };
+
+    const showCommentBox = loggedIn && ((!banned && !temporarilySuspended && !highlightedComment) || keepCommentBox);
     return (
       <div id="stream">
 
@@ -199,10 +215,7 @@ class Stream extends React.Component {
                   editName={editName}
                   currentUsername={user.username}
                 />}
-              {loggedIn &&
-                !banned &&
-                !temporarilySuspended &&
-                !highlightedComment &&
+              {showCommentBox &&
                 <CommentBox
                   addNotification={this.props.addNotification}
                   postComment={this.props.postComment}
@@ -211,7 +224,7 @@ class Stream extends React.Component {
                   assetId={asset.id}
                   premod={asset.settings.moderation}
                   isReply={false}
-                  authorId={user.id}
+                  currentUser={user}
                   charCountEnable={asset.settings.charCountEnable}
                   maxCharCount={asset.settings.charCount}
                 />}
diff --git a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Embed.js b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Embed.js
index 68f76ccc5..bf05caf29 100644
--- a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Embed.js
+++ b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Embed.js
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ import {getDefinitionName} from 'coral-framework/utils';
 import {withQuery} from 'coral-framework/hocs';
 import Embed from '../components/Embed';
 import Stream from './Stream';
+import {addNotification} from 'coral-framework/actions/notification';
+import t from 'coral-framework/services/i18n';
 
 import {setActiveTab} from '../actions/embed';
 import {viewAllComments} from '../actions/stream';
@@ -20,12 +22,63 @@ const {logout, checkLogin} = authActions;
 const {fetchAssetSuccess} = assetActions;
 
 class EmbedContainer extends React.Component {
+  subscriptions = [];
+
+  subscribeToUpdates(props = this.props) {
+    if (props.auth.loggedIn) {
+      const newSubscriptions = [{
+        document: USER_BANNED_SUBSCRIPTION,
+        updateQuery: () => {
+          addNotification('info', t('your_account_has_been_banned'));
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        document: USER_SUSPENDED_SUBSCRIPTION,
+        updateQuery: () => {
+          addNotification('info', t('your_account_has_been_suspended'));
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        document: USERNAME_REJECTED_SUBSCRIPTION,
+        updateQuery: () => {
+          addNotification('info', t('your_username_has_been_rejected'));
+        },
+      }];
+
+      this.subscriptions = newSubscriptions.map((s) => props.data.subscribeToMore({
+        document: s.document,
+        variables: {
+          user_id: props.auth.user.id,
+        },
+        updateQuery: s.updateQuery,
+      }));
+    }
+  }
+
+  unsubscribe() {
+    this.subscriptions.forEach((unsubscribe) => unsubscribe());
+    this.subscriptions = [];
+  }
+
+  resubscribe(props) {
+    this.unsubscribe();
+    this.subscribeToUpdates(props);
+  }
+
+  componentDidMount() {
+    this.subscribeToUpdates();
+  }
+
+  componentWillUnmount() {
+    this.unsubscribe();
+  }
 
   componentWillReceiveProps(nextProps) {
     if (this.props.auth.loggedIn !== nextProps.auth.loggedIn) {
 
       // Refetch after login/logout.
       this.props.data.refetch();
+      this.resubscribe(nextProps);
     }
 
     const {fetchAssetSuccess} = this.props;
@@ -52,6 +105,45 @@ class EmbedContainer extends React.Component {
   }
 }
 
+const USER_BANNED_SUBSCRIPTION = gql`
+  subscription UserBanned($user_id: ID!) {
+    userBanned(user_id: $user_id){
+      id
+      status
+      canEditName
+      suspension {
+        until
+      }
+    }
+  }
+`;
+
+const USER_SUSPENDED_SUBSCRIPTION = gql`
+  subscription UserSuspended($user_id: ID!) {
+    userSuspended(user_id: $user_id){
+      id
+      status
+      canEditName
+      suspension {
+        until
+      }
+    }
+  }
+`;
+
+const USERNAME_REJECTED_SUBSCRIPTION = gql`
+  subscription UsernameRejected($user_id: ID!) {
+    usernameRejected(user_id: $user_id){
+      id
+      status
+      canEditName
+      suspension {
+        until
+      }
+    }
+  }
+`;
+
 const EMBED_QUERY = gql`
   query CoralEmbedStream_Embed($assetId: ID, $assetUrl: String, $commentId: ID!, $hasComment: Boolean!, $excludeIgnored: Boolean) {
     asset(id: $assetId, url: $assetUrl) {
@@ -95,6 +187,7 @@ const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch) =>
       setActiveTab,
       viewAllComments,
       fetchAssetSuccess,
+      addNotification,
     },
     dispatch
   );
diff --git a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Stream.js b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Stream.js
index f6e1fd9ec..3491fc846 100644
--- a/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Stream.js
+++ b/client/coral-embed-stream/src/containers/Stream.js
@@ -30,11 +30,8 @@ class StreamContainer extends React.Component {
   subscriptions = [];
 
   subscribeToUpdates() {
-    const sub1 = this.props.data.subscribeToMore({
+    const newSubscriptions = [{
       document: COMMENTS_EDITED_SUBSCRIPTION,
-      variables: {
-        assetId: this.props.root.asset.id,
-      },
       updateQuery: (prev, {subscriptionData: {data: {commentEdited}}}) => {
 
         // Ignore mutations from me.
@@ -52,13 +49,9 @@ class StreamContainer extends React.Component {
           return removeCommentFromEmbedQuery(prev, commentEdited.id);
         }
       },
-    });
-
-    const sub2 = this.props.data.subscribeToMore({
+    },
+    {
       document: COMMENTS_ADDED_SUBSCRIPTION,
-      variables: {
-        assetId: this.props.root.asset.id,
-      },
       updateQuery: (prev, {subscriptionData: {data: {commentAdded}}}) => {
 
         // Ignore mutations from me.
@@ -81,9 +74,15 @@ class StreamContainer extends React.Component {
 
         return insertCommentIntoEmbedQuery(prev, commentAdded);
       }
-    });
+    }];
 
-    this.subscriptions.push(sub1, sub2);
+    this.subscriptions = newSubscriptions.map((s) => this.props.data.subscribeToMore({
+      document: s.document,
+      variables: {
+        assetId: this.props.root.asset.id,
+      },
+      updateQuery: s.updateQuery,
+    }));
   }
 
   unsubscribe() {
@@ -173,7 +172,7 @@ const commentFragment = gql`
 `;
 
 const COMMENTS_ADDED_SUBSCRIPTION = gql`
-  subscription onCommentAdded($assetId: ID!, $excludeIgnored: Boolean){
+  subscription CommentAdded($assetId: ID!, $excludeIgnored: Boolean){
     commentAdded(asset_id: $assetId){
       parent {
         id
@@ -185,7 +184,7 @@ const COMMENTS_ADDED_SUBSCRIPTION = gql`
 `;
 
 const COMMENTS_EDITED_SUBSCRIPTION = gql`
-  subscription onCommentEdited($assetId: ID!){
+  subscription CommentEdited($assetId: ID!){
     commentEdited(asset_id: $assetId){
       id
       body
diff --git a/client/coral-embed/src/index.js b/client/coral-embed/src/index.js
index 5b42fa541..82eea8ef7 100644
--- a/client/coral-embed/src/index.js
+++ b/client/coral-embed/src/index.js
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ const snackbarStyles = {
 // This function should return value of window.Coral
 const Coral = {};
 const Talk = (Coral.Talk = {});
+let notificationTimeout = null;
 
 // build the URL to load in the pym iframe
 function buildStreamIframeUrl(talkBaseUrl, query) {
@@ -110,14 +111,15 @@ function configurePymParent(pymParent, opts) {
     snackbar.className = `coral-notif-${type}`;
     snackbar.textContent = text;
 
-    setTimeout(() => {
+    clearTimeout(notificationTimeout);
+    notificationTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
       snackbar.style.transform = 'translate(-50%, 0)';
       snackbar.style.opacity = 1;
-    }, 0);
 
-    setTimeout(() => {
-      snackbar.style.opacity = 0;
-    }, 5000);
+      notificationTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+        snackbar.style.opacity = 0;
+      }, 7000);
+    }, 0);
   });
 
   // Helps child show notifications at the right scrollTop
diff --git a/client/coral-framework/reducers/auth.js b/client/coral-framework/reducers/auth.js
index 5a05de28e..7ab12cf53 100644
--- a/client/coral-framework/reducers/auth.js
+++ b/client/coral-framework/reducers/auth.js
@@ -151,6 +151,20 @@ export default function auth (state = initialState, action) {
   case actions.SET_REDIRECT_URI:
     return state
       .set('redirectUri', action.uri);
+  case 'APOLLO_SUBSCRIPTION_RESULT':
+    if (action.operationName === 'UserBanned' && state.getIn(['user', 'id']) === action.variables.user_id) {
+      return state
+        .mergeIn(['user'], action.result.data.userBanned);
+    }
+    if (action.operationName === 'UserSuspended' && state.getIn(['user', 'id']) === action.variables.user_id) {
+      return state
+        .mergeIn(['user'], action.result.data.userSuspended);
+    }
+    if (action.operationName === 'UsernameRejected' && state.getIn(['user', 'id']) === action.variables.user_id) {
+      return state
+        .mergeIn(['user'], action.result.data.usernameRejected);
+    }
+    return state;
   default :
     return state;
   }
diff --git a/client/coral-plugin-commentbox/CommentBox.js b/client/coral-plugin-commentbox/CommentBox.js
index 5105667ed..efa1d27ed 100644
--- a/client/coral-plugin-commentbox/CommentBox.js
+++ b/client/coral-plugin-commentbox/CommentBox.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import React, {PropTypes} from 'react';
 
 import t from 'coral-framework/services/i18n';
+import {can} from 'coral-framework/services/perms';
 
 import Slot from 'coral-framework/components/Slot';
 import {connect} from 'react-redux';
@@ -43,8 +44,14 @@ class CommentBox extends React.Component {
       assetId,
       parentId,
       addNotification,
+      currentUser,
     } = this.props;
 
+    if (!can(currentUser, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY')) {
+      addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
+      return;
+    }
+
     let comment = {
       asset_id: assetId,
       parent_id: parentId,
@@ -126,7 +133,7 @@ class CommentBox extends React.Component {
   handleChange = (e) => this.setState({body: e.target.value});
 
   render () {
-    const {styles, isReply, authorId, maxCharCount} = this.props;
+    const {styles, isReply, currentUser, maxCharCount} = this.props;
     let {cancelButtonClicked} = this.props;
 
     if (isReply && typeof cancelButtonClicked !== 'function') {
@@ -145,7 +152,7 @@ class CommentBox extends React.Component {
         charCountEnable={this.props.charCountEnable}
         bodyPlaceholder={t('comment.comment')}
         bodyInputId={isReply ? 'replyText' : 'commentText'}
-        saveComment={authorId && this.postComment}
+        saveComment={currentUser && this.postComment}
         buttonContainerStart={<Slot
           fill="commentInputDetailArea"
           registerHook={this.registerHook}
@@ -170,7 +177,7 @@ CommentBox.propTypes = {
   cancelButtonClicked: PropTypes.func,
   assetId: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
   parentId: PropTypes.string,
-  authorId: PropTypes.string.isRequired,
+  currentUser: PropTypes.object.isRequired,
   isReply: PropTypes.bool.isRequired,
   canPost: PropTypes.bool,
 };
diff --git a/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js b/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js
index e8a17f201..38b1fd594 100644
--- a/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js
+++ b/client/coral-plugin-flags/FlagButton.js
@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ export default class FlagButton extends Component {
       } else {
         this.setState({showMenu: true});
       }
+    } else {
+      this.props.addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
     }
   }
 
diff --git a/client/coral-plugin-replies/ReplyBox.js b/client/coral-plugin-replies/ReplyBox.js
index 8241bf511..b8b983fe4 100644
--- a/client/coral-plugin-replies/ReplyBox.js
+++ b/client/coral-plugin-replies/ReplyBox.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class ReplyBox extends Component {
       styles,
       postComment,
       assetId,
-      authorId,
+      currentUser,
       addNotification,
       parentId,
       commentPostedHandler,
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class ReplyBox extends Component {
         parentId={parentId}
         cancelButtonClicked={this.cancelReply}
         addNotification={addNotification}
-        authorId={authorId}
+        currentUser={currentUser}
         assetId={assetId}
         postComment={postComment}
         isReply={true} />
diff --git a/graph/context.js b/graph/context.js
index 66086dc89..d2306cbc8 100644
--- a/graph/context.js
+++ b/graph/context.js
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ const mutators = require('./mutators');
 const uuid = require('uuid');
 
 const plugins = require('../services/plugins');
+const pubsub = require('../services/pubsub');
 const debug = require('debug')('talk:graph:context');
 
 /**
@@ -32,7 +33,7 @@ const decorateContextPlugins = (context, contextPlugins) => contextPlugins.reduc
  * Stores the request context.
  */
 class Context {
-  constructor({user = null}, pubsub) {
+  constructor({user = null}) {
 
     // Generate a new context id for the request.
     this.id = uuid.v4();
diff --git a/graph/index.js b/graph/index.js
index 4e99714d9..7495c0605 100644
--- a/graph/index.js
+++ b/graph/index.js
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 const schema = require('./schema');
 const Context = require('./context');
-const pubsub = require('./pubsub');
 const {createSubscriptionManager} = require('./subscriptions');
 
 module.exports = {
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ module.exports = {
 
     // Load in the new context here, this'll create the loaders + mutators for
     // the lifespan of this request.
-    context: new Context(req, pubsub)
+    context: new Context(req)
   }),
   createSubscriptionManager
 };
diff --git a/graph/mutators/action.js b/graph/mutators/action.js
index 19db33183..d62d3b4c5 100644
--- a/graph/mutators/action.js
+++ b/graph/mutators/action.js
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const {CREATE_ACTION, DELETE_ACTION} = require('../../perms/constants');
 const createAction = async ({user = {}, pubsub, loaders: {Comments}}, {item_id, item_type, action_type, group_id, metadata = {}}) => {
 
   let comment;
-  if (pubsub && item_type === 'COMMENTS') {
+  if (item_type === 'COMMENTS') {
     comment = await Comments.get.load(item_id);
     if (!comment) {
       throw new Error('Comment not found');
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ const createAction = async ({user = {}, pubsub, loaders: {Comments}}, {item_id,
     await UsersService.setStatus(item_id, 'PENDING');
   }
 
-  if (pubsub && comment) {
+  if (comment) {
     pubsub.publish('commentFlagged', comment);
   }
 
diff --git a/graph/mutators/comment.js b/graph/mutators/comment.js
index df6ed71ce..f32172a4d 100644
--- a/graph/mutators/comment.js
+++ b/graph/mutators/comment.js
@@ -177,11 +177,8 @@ const createComment = async (context, {tags = [], body, asset_id, parent_id = nu
     }
     Comments.countByAssetID.incr(asset_id);
 
-    if (pubsub) {
-
-      // Publish the newly added comment via the subscription.
-      pubsub.publish('commentAdded', comment);
-    }
+    // Publish the newly added comment via the subscription.
+    pubsub.publish('commentAdded', comment);
   }
 
   return comment;
@@ -346,17 +343,14 @@ const setStatus = async ({user, loaders: {Comments}, pubsub}, {id, status}) => {
   // adjust the affected user's karma in the next tick.
   process.nextTick(adjustKarma(Comments, id, status));
 
-  if (pubsub) {
+  if (status === 'ACCEPTED') {
 
-    if (status === 'ACCEPTED') {
+    // Publish the comment status change via the subscription.
+    pubsub.publish('commentAccepted', comment);
+  } else if (status === 'REJECTED') {
 
-      // Publish the comment status change via the subscription.
-      pubsub.publish('commentAccepted', comment);
-    } else if (status === 'REJECTED') {
-
-      // Publish the comment status change via the subscription.
-      pubsub.publish('commentRejected', comment);
-    }
+    // Publish the comment status change via the subscription.
+    pubsub.publish('commentRejected', comment);
   }
 
   return comment;
@@ -379,11 +373,9 @@ const edit = async (context, {id, asset_id, edit: {body}}) => {
   // Execute the edit.
   const comment = await CommentsService.edit(id, context.user.id, {body, status});
 
-  if (context.pubsub) {
+  // Publish the edited comment via the subscription.
+  context.pubsub.publish('commentEdited', comment);
 
-    // Publish the edited comment via the subscription.
-    context.pubsub.publish('commentEdited', comment);
-  }
   return comment;
 };
 
diff --git a/graph/mutators/user.js b/graph/mutators/user.js
index cf0106a2c..448ac750a 100644
--- a/graph/mutators/user.js
+++ b/graph/mutators/user.js
@@ -2,16 +2,28 @@ const errors = require('../../errors');
 const UsersService = require('../../services/users');
 const {SET_USER_STATUS, SUSPEND_USER, REJECT_USERNAME} = require('../../perms/constants');
 
-const setUserStatus = ({user}, {id, status}) => {
-  return UsersService.setStatus(id, status);
+const setUserStatus = async ({user, pubsub}, {id, status}) => {
+  const result = await UsersService.setStatus(id, status);
+  if (result && result.status === 'BANNED') {
+    pubsub.publish('userBanned', result);
+  }
+  return result;
 };
 
-const suspendUser = ({user}, {id, message, until}) => {
-  return UsersService.suspendUser(id, message, until);
+const suspendUser = async ({user, pubsub}, {id, message, until}) => {
+  const result = await UsersService.suspendUser(id, message, until);
+  if (result) {
+    pubsub.publish('userSuspended', result);
+  }
+  return result;
 };
 
-const rejectUsername = ({user}, {id, message}) => {
-  return UsersService.rejectUsername(id, message);
+const rejectUsername = async ({user, pubsub}, {id, message}) => {
+  const result = await UsersService.rejectUsername(id, message);
+  if (result) {
+    pubsub.publish('usernameRejected', result);
+  }
+  return result;
 };
 
 const ignoreUser = ({user}, userToIgnore) => {
diff --git a/graph/resolvers/subscription.js b/graph/resolvers/subscription.js
index 1f26d5ff3..f6da9fb54 100644
--- a/graph/resolvers/subscription.js
+++ b/graph/resolvers/subscription.js
@@ -14,6 +14,15 @@ const Subscription = {
   commentFlagged(comment) {
     return comment;
   },
+  userBanned(user) {
+    return user;
+  },
+  userSuspended(user) {
+    return user;
+  },
+  usernameRejected(user) {
+    return user;
+  },
 };
 
 module.exports = Subscription;
diff --git a/graph/resolvers/user.js b/graph/resolvers/user.js
index 035af22cb..2878d6561 100644
--- a/graph/resolvers/user.js
+++ b/graph/resolvers/user.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ const {
   SEARCH_OTHERS_COMMENTS,
   UPDATE_USER_ROLES,
   SEARCH_COMMENT_METRICS,
+  VIEW_SUSPENSION_INFO,
   LIST_OWN_TOKENS
 } = require('../../perms/constants');
 
@@ -84,6 +85,13 @@ const User = {
     if (requestingUser && requestingUser.can(SEARCH_COMMENT_METRICS)) {
       return KarmaService.model(user);
     }
+  },
+
+  suspension({id, suspension}, _, {user}) {
+    if (user.id !== id && !user.can(VIEW_SUSPENSION_INFO)) {
+      return null;
+    }
+    return suspension;
   }
 };
 
diff --git a/graph/subscriptions.js b/graph/subscriptions.js
index ec2d5b786..ce1eb1a09 100644
--- a/graph/subscriptions.js
+++ b/graph/subscriptions.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ const {SubscriptionServer} = require('subscriptions-transport-ws');
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const debug = require('debug')('talk:graph:subscriptions');
 
-const pubsub = require('./pubsub');
+const pubsub = require('../services/pubsub');
 const schema = require('./schema');
 const Context = require('./context');
 const plugins = require('../services/plugins');
@@ -21,6 +21,9 @@ const {
   SUBSCRIBE_COMMENT_FLAGGED,
   SUBSCRIBE_ALL_COMMENT_EDITED,
   SUBSCRIBE_ALL_COMMENT_ADDED,
+  SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_SUSPENDED,
+  SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_BANNED,
+  SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USERNAME_REJECTED,
 } = require('../perms/constants');
 
 /**
@@ -83,6 +86,45 @@ const setupFunctions = plugins.get('server', 'setupFunctions').reduce((acc, {plu
       }
     },
   }),
+  userSuspended: (options, args) => ({
+    userSuspended: {
+      filter: (user, context) => {
+        if (
+          !context.user
+          || args.user_id !== user.id && !context.user.can(SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_SUSPENDED)
+        ) {
+          return false;
+        }
+        return !args.user_id || user.id === args.user_id;
+      }
+    },
+  }),
+  userBanned: (options, args) => ({
+    userBanned: {
+      filter: (user, context) => {
+        if (
+          !context.user
+          || args.user_id !== user.id && !context.user.can(SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_BANNED)
+        ) {
+          return false;
+        }
+        return !args.user_id || user.id === args.user_id;
+      }
+    },
+  }),
+  usernameRejected: (options, args) => ({
+    usernameRejected: {
+      filter: (user, context) => {
+        if (
+          !context.user
+          || args.user_id !== user.id && !context.user.can(SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USERNAME_REJECTED)
+        ) {
+          return false;
+        }
+        return !args.user_id || user.id === args.user_id;
+      }
+    },
+  }),
 });
 
 /**
@@ -117,10 +159,10 @@ const createSubscriptionManager = (server) => new SubscriptionServer({
       } catch (e) {
         console.error(e);
 
-        return new Context({}, pubsub);
+        return new Context({});
       }
 
-      return new Context(req, pubsub);
+      return new Context(req);
     };
 
     return baseParams;
diff --git a/graph/typeDefs.graphql b/graph/typeDefs.graphql
index 7801872a6..4a38ce266 100644
--- a/graph/typeDefs.graphql
+++ b/graph/typeDefs.graphql
@@ -61,6 +61,10 @@ type UserProfile {
   provider: String!
 }
 
+type SuspensionInfo {
+  until: Date
+}
+
 # Any person who can author comments, create actions, and view comments on a
 # stream.
 type User {
@@ -108,6 +112,10 @@ type User {
 
   # returns user status
   status: USER_STATUS
+
+  # returns suspension info. Only available to Admins and Moderators
+  # or on own logged in User.
+  suspension: SuspensionInfo
 }
 
 # UsersQuery allows the ability to query users by a specific fields.
@@ -1034,6 +1042,21 @@ type Subscription {
   # Get an update whenever a comment has been rejected.
   # Requires the `ADMIN` or `MODERATOR` role.
   commentRejected(asset_id: ID): Comment
+
+  # Get an update whenever a user has been suspended.
+  # `user_id` must match id of current user except for
+  # users with the `ADMIN` or `MODERATOR` role.
+  userSuspended(user_id: ID): User
+
+  # Get an update whenever a user has been banned.
+  # `user_id` must match id of current user except for
+  # users with the `ADMIN` or `MODERATOR` role.
+  userBanned(user_id: ID): User
+
+  # Get an update whenever a username has been rejected.
+  # `user_id` must match id of current user except for
+  # users with the `ADMIN` or `MODERATOR` role.
+  usernameRejected(user_id: ID): User
 }
 
 ################################################################################
diff --git a/locales/en.yml b/locales/en.yml
index 1fac86785..03256e75e 100644
--- a/locales/en.yml
+++ b/locales/en.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 en:
+  your_account_has_been_suspended: Your account has been temporarily suspended.
+  your_account_has_been_banned: Your account has been banned.
+  your_username_has_been_rejected: Your account has been suspended because your username has been deemed inappropriate. To restore your account please enter a new username.
   bandialog:
     are_you_sure: "Are you sure you would like to ban {0}?"
     ban_user: "Ban User?"
diff --git a/locales/es.yml b/locales/es.yml
index 62ea0e97e..7297fedd5 100644
--- a/locales/es.yml
+++ b/locales/es.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 es:
+  your_account_has_been_suspended: Su cuenta ha sido temporalmente suspendida.
+  your_account_has_been_banned: Su cuenta ha sido suspendida.
+  your_username_has_been_rejected: Su cuenta ha sido suspendida porque tu nombre de usuario ha sido considerado no apropiado para el espacio. Para recuperar la cuenta, por favor ingresar un nuevo nombre de usuario.
   bandialog:
     are_you_sure: "¿Estás segura que quieres suspender a {0}?"
     ban_user: "¿Quieres suspender el Usuario?"
diff --git a/perms/constants.js b/perms/constants.js
index abfd16c6f..383f36daf 100644
--- a/perms/constants.js
+++ b/perms/constants.js
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ module.exports = {
   SEARCH_COMMENT_METRICS: 'SEARCH_COMMENT_METRICS',
   LIST_OWN_TOKENS: 'LIST_OWN_TOKENS',
   SEARCH_COMMENT_STATUS_HISTORY: 'SEARCH_COMMENT_STATUS_HISTORY',
+  VIEW_SUSPENSION_INFO: 'VIEW_SUSPENSION_INFO',
 
   // subscriptions
   SUBSCRIBE_COMMENT_ACCEPTED: 'SUBSCRIBE_COMMENT_ACCEPTED',
@@ -33,4 +34,7 @@ module.exports = {
   SUBSCRIBE_COMMENT_FLAGGED: 'SUBSCRIBE_COMMENT_FLAGGED',
   SUBSCRIBE_ALL_COMMENT_ADDED: 'SUBSCRIBE_ALL_COMMENT_ADDED',
   SUBSCRIBE_ALL_COMMENT_EDITED: 'SUBSCRIBE_ALL_COMMENT_EDITED',
+  SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_SUSPENDED: 'SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_SUSPENDED',
+  SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_BANNED: 'SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_BANNED',
+  SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USERNAME_REJECTED: 'SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USERNAME_REJECTED',
 };
diff --git a/perms/queryReducer.js b/perms/queryReducer.js
index ed84f2265..0b76c225a 100644
--- a/perms/queryReducer.js
+++ b/perms/queryReducer.js
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ module.exports = (user, perm) => {
     return check(user, ['ADMIN']);
   case types.SEARCH_COMMENT_STATUS_HISTORY:
     return check(user, ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']);
+  case types.VIEW_SUSPENSION_INFO:
+    return check(user, ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']);
   default:
     break;
   }
diff --git a/perms/subscriptionReducer.js b/perms/subscriptionReducer.js
index 0b06902cf..e0f73526a 100644
--- a/perms/subscriptionReducer.js
+++ b/perms/subscriptionReducer.js
@@ -13,6 +13,12 @@ module.exports = (user, perm) => {
     return check(user, ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']);
   case types.SUBSCRIBE_ALL_COMMENT_ADDED:
     return check(user, ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']);
+  case types.SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_SUSPENDED:
+    return check(user, ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']);
+  case types.SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USER_BANNED:
+    return check(user, ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']);
+  case types.SUBSCRIBE_ALL_USERNAME_REJECTED:
+    return check(user, ['ADMIN', 'MODERATOR']);
   default:
     break;
   }
diff --git a/plugin-api/beta/client/hocs/withReaction.js b/plugin-api/beta/client/hocs/withReaction.js
index 1ed777996..72de7f5c4 100644
--- a/plugin-api/beta/client/hocs/withReaction.js
+++ b/plugin-api/beta/client/hocs/withReaction.js
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import {compose, gql} from 'react-apollo';
 import withFragments from 'coral-framework/hocs/withFragments';
 import withMutation from 'coral-framework/hocs/withMutation';
 import {showSignInDialog} from 'coral-framework/actions/auth';
+import {addNotification} from 'coral-framework/actions/notification';
 import {capitalize} from 'coral-framework/helpers/strings';
 import {getMyActionSummary, getTotalActionCount} from 'coral-framework/utils';
 import * as PropTypes from 'prop-types';
@@ -248,6 +249,7 @@ export default (reaction) => (WrappedComponent) => {
 
       return <WrappedComponent
         showSignInDialog={this.props.showSignInDialog}
+        addNotification={this.props.addNotification}
         user={this.props.user}
         comment={comment}
         reactionSummary={reactionSummary}
@@ -350,7 +352,7 @@ export default (reaction) => (WrappedComponent) => {
   });
 
   const mapDispatchToProps = (dispatch) =>
-    bindActionCreators({showSignInDialog}, dispatch);
+    bindActionCreators({showSignInDialog, addNotification}, dispatch);
 
   const enhance = compose(
     withFragments({
diff --git a/plugins/coral-plugin-like/client/LikeButton.js b/plugins/coral-plugin-like/client/LikeButton.js
index 68a516c3f..7d17ef056 100644
--- a/plugins/coral-plugin-like/client/LikeButton.js
+++ b/plugins/coral-plugin-like/client/LikeButton.js
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ class LikeButton extends React.Component {
       postReaction,
       deleteReaction,
       showSignInDialog,
+      addNotification,
       alreadyReacted,
       user,
     } = this.props;
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ class LikeButton extends React.Component {
 
     // If the current user is suspended, do nothing.
     if (!can(user, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY')) {
+      addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
       return;
     }
 
diff --git a/plugins/coral-plugin-love/client/LoveButton.js b/plugins/coral-plugin-love/client/LoveButton.js
index 0fc7bd7ca..7450ad668 100644
--- a/plugins/coral-plugin-love/client/LoveButton.js
+++ b/plugins/coral-plugin-love/client/LoveButton.js
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ class LoveButton extends React.Component {
       postReaction,
       deleteReaction,
       showSignInDialog,
+      addNotification,
       alreadyReacted,
       user,
     } = this.props;
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ class LoveButton extends React.Component {
 
     // If the current user is suspended, do nothing.
     if (!can(user, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY')) {
+      addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
       return;
     }
 
diff --git a/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/RespectButton.js b/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/RespectButton.js
index bde8c9669..9bc556b67 100644
--- a/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/RespectButton.js
+++ b/plugins/coral-plugin-respect/client/RespectButton.js
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ class RespectButton extends React.Component {
       deleteReaction,
       showSignInDialog,
       alreadyReacted,
+      addNotification,
       user,
     } = this.props;
 
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ class RespectButton extends React.Component {
 
     // If the current user is suspended, do nothing.
     if (!can(user, 'INTERACT_WITH_COMMUNITY')) {
+      addNotification('error', t('error.NOT_AUTHORIZED'));
       return;
     }
 
diff --git a/routes/api/users/index.js b/routes/api/users/index.js
index 10d72fe3a..47ff46853 100644
--- a/routes/api/users/index.js
+++ b/routes/api/users/index.js
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 const express = require('express');
 const router = express.Router();
 const UsersService = require('../../../services/users');
-const CommentsService = require('../../../services/comments');
 const mailer = require('../../../services/mailer');
+const pubsub = require('../../../services/pubsub');
 const errors = require('../../../errors');
 const authorization = require('../../../middleware/authorization');
 const i18n = require('../../../services/i18n');
@@ -53,11 +53,16 @@ router.post('/:user_id/role', authorization.needed('ADMIN'), (req, res, next) =>
 router.post('/:user_id/status', authorization.needed('ADMIN'), (req, res, next) => {
   UsersService
     .setStatus(req.params.user_id, req.body.status)
-    .then((status) => {
-      res.status(201).json(status);
+    .then((user) => {
 
-      if (status === 'BANNED' && req.body.comment_id) {
-        return CommentsService.pushStatus(req.body.comment_id, 'rejected', req.params.user_id);
+      // TODO: current updating status behavior is weird.
+      if (user) {
+        if (user.status === 'BANNED') {
+          pubsub.publish('userBanned', user);
+        }
+        res.status(201).json(user.status);
+      } else {
+        res.status(500).json();
       }
     })
     .catch(next);
diff --git a/graph/pubsub.js b/services/pubsub.js
similarity index 69%
rename from graph/pubsub.js
rename to services/pubsub.js
index 704f83725..a42ffb314 100644
--- a/graph/pubsub.js
+++ b/services/pubsub.js
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 const {RedisPubSub} = require('graphql-redis-subscriptions');
 
-const {connectionOptions} = require('../services/redis');
+const {connectionOptions} = require('./redis');
 
 module.exports = new RedisPubSub({connection: connectionOptions});
diff --git a/services/users.js b/services/users.js
index 78ec57b4c..dea208c8e 100644
--- a/services/users.js
+++ b/services/users.js
@@ -435,7 +435,10 @@ module.exports = class UsersService {
       return Promise.reject(new Error(`status ${status} is not supported`));
     }
 
-    return UserModel.update({
+    // TODO: current updating status behavior is weird.
+    // once a user has been `APPROVED` its status cannot be
+    // changed anymore.
+    return UserModel.findOneAndUpdate({
       id,
       status: {
         $ne: 'APPROVED'
@@ -444,6 +447,8 @@ module.exports = class UsersService {
       $set: {
         status
       }
+    }, {
+      new: true,
     });
   }
 
@@ -453,34 +458,37 @@ module.exports = class UsersService {
    * @param  {String}   message             message to be send to the user
    * @param  {Date}     until               date until the suspension is valid.
    */
-  static suspendUser(id, message, until) {
-    return UserModel.findOneAndUpdate(
+  static async suspendUser(id, message, until) {
+    const user = await UserModel.findOneAndUpdate(
       {id}, {
         $set: {
           suspension: {
             until,
           },
         }
-      })
-      .then((user) => {
-        if (message) {
-          let localProfile = user.profiles.find((profile) => profile.provider === 'local');
-          if (localProfile) {
-            const options =
-              {
-                template: 'suspension',              // needed to know which template to render!
-                locals: {                            // specifies the template locals.
-                  body: message
-                },
-                subject: 'Your account has been suspended',
-                to: localProfile.id  // This only works if the user has registered via e-mail.
-                                     // We may want a standard way to access a user's e-mail address in the future
-              };
-
-            return MailerService.sendSimple(options);
-          }
-        }
+      }, {
+        new: true,
       });
+
+    if (message) {
+      let localProfile = user.profiles.find((profile) => profile.provider === 'local');
+      if (localProfile) {
+        const options =
+          {
+            template: 'suspension',              // needed to know which template to render!
+            locals: {                            // specifies the template locals.
+              body: message
+            },
+            subject: 'Your account has been suspended',
+            to: localProfile.id  // This only works if the user has registered via e-mail.
+                                 // We may want a standard way to access a user's e-mail address in the future
+          };
+
+        await MailerService.sendSimple(options);
+      }
+    }
+
+    return user;
   }
 
   /**
@@ -489,34 +497,37 @@ module.exports = class UsersService {
    * @param  {String}   message             message to be send to the user
    * @param  {Date}     until               date until the suspension is valid.
    */
-  static rejectUsername(id, message) {
-    return UserModel.findOneAndUpdate({
+  static async rejectUsername(id, message) {
+    const user = await UserModel.findOneAndUpdate({
       id
     }, {
       $set: {
         status: 'BANNED',
         canEditName: true,
       }
-    })
-    .then((user) => {
-      if (message) {
-        let localProfile = user.profiles.find((profile) => profile.provider === 'local');
-        if (localProfile) {
-          const options =
-            {
-              template: 'suspension',              // needed to know which template to render!
-              locals: {                            // specifies the template locals.
-                body: message
-              },
-              subject: 'Email Suspension',
-              to: localProfile.id  // This only works if the user has registered via e-mail.
-                                   // We may want a standard way to access a user's e-mail address in the future
-            };
-
-          return MailerService.sendSimple(options);
-        }
-      }
+    }, {
+      new: true,
     });
+
+    if (message) {
+      let localProfile = user.profiles.find((profile) => profile.provider === 'local');
+      if (localProfile) {
+        const options =
+          {
+            template: 'suspension',              // needed to know which template to render!
+            locals: {                            // specifies the template locals.
+              body: message
+            },
+            subject: 'Email Suspension',
+            to: localProfile.id  // This only works if the user has registered via e-mail.
+                                 // We may want a standard way to access a user's e-mail address in the future
+          };
+
+        await MailerService.sendSimple(options);
+      }
+    }
+
+    return user;
   }
 
   /**
diff --git a/test/server/graph/context.js b/test/server/graph/context.js
index b01917289..7d30042e4 100644
--- a/test/server/graph/context.js
+++ b/test/server/graph/context.js
@@ -3,14 +3,16 @@ const expect = require('chai').expect;
 const User = require('../../../models/user');
 const Context = require('../../../graph/context');
 const errors = require('../../../errors');
+const SettingsService = require('../../../services/settings');
 
 describe('graph.Context', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => SettingsService.init());
 
   describe('#constructor: with a user', () => {
     let c;
 
     beforeEach(() => {
-      c = new Context({user: new User({id: '1'})});
+      c = new Context({user: new User({id: '1', roles: ['ADMIN']})});
     });
 
     it('creates a context with a user', (done) => {
@@ -21,15 +23,10 @@ describe('graph.Context', () => {
     });
 
     it('does have access to mutators', () => {
-      return c.mutators.Action.create({
-        item_id: '1',
-        item_type: 'COMMENTS',
-        action_type: 'LIKE'
-      })
-      .then((action) => {
-        expect(action).to.have.property('item_id', '1');
-        expect(action).to.have.property('item_type', 'COMMENTS');
-        expect(action).to.have.property('action_type', 'LIKE');
+      return c.mutators.Tag.add({
+        item_type: 'USERS',
+        id: '1',
+        name: 'Tag',
       });
     });
   });
@@ -48,13 +45,13 @@ describe('graph.Context', () => {
     });
 
     it('does not have access to mutators', () => {
-      return c.mutators.Action.create({
-        item_id: '1',
+      return c.mutators.Tag.add({
         item_type: 'COMMENTS',
-        action_type: 'LIKE'
+        id: '1',
+        name: 'Tag',
       })
-      .then((action) => {
-        expect(action).to.be.null;
+      .then(() => {
+        throw new Error('should not reach this point');
       })
       .catch((err) => {
         expect(err).to.be.equal(errors.ErrNotAuthorized);