What's the problem with someone winning two, three or a hundred times in a row? Is this some warped idea of "fairness", like when my kids had a sports day at the nursery and everyone got a medal, because it was "fair"? How fair was it to those kids that did actually win but whoever came last got the same medal?

I never won any photo competition but I can tell you, if I won only because the best participants were prevented from taking part, I would not consider it a worthwhile victory.

Regarding the "name your phone" versus "provide EXIF" thingy, I strongly favour the former.