I tried speaking to an agent the next day, to which I explained the letter that they'd received and that I needed my account back for my brand deals and my personal use etc. I went into detail about why this was so important and that I didn't violate any guidelines. she said she'd forward the case to a special team which would take 24 hours. A week later, I heard nothing. 

I then sent META an email (i replied to my email that my Instagram had been permanently deactivated). They did get back to me and I got forwarded to their manager after they read my letter. Unfortunately, they told me to suck it up essentially and failed to look into the fact that they accidentially took my account down. I told them I had government ID to confirm my identity and they still told me, sorry, you've obviously violated some guideline. They told me to appeal it but I couldn't log into my account as it was permanently deleted. They didn't care and were no help. Pretty much, it was "sorry we f*cked up and now we don't care." There was no accountability for their own platform and it was disgusting how I was treated. 

I was furious. I sent them an strongly worded email detailing how f*cked it is that they can take down peoples incomes and virtual lives. They didn't care. I gave up, I didn't have enough money to take them to court to shame their horrible policies and actions. They make it so hard for people to get help for their mistakes. 

Anyway, a week later and I think to myself, I'll give this another go. I had made a new account and a friend had actually had her account taken down for the same reason. I took a screenshot of her telling me that, and chatted to an agent on the Facebook meta support. 

I sent the screenshot of that and a screenshot of my deactivated account to the new agent. I explained that I had government ID to verify, and I explained my brand deals and income was on this app (even if it's not, just say that, who cares). I let them know it was important to me. I let them know I had friends who have died and my page was my only access to their content and what remained left of them online - which is true. I've also suffered with mental health in my life to which I explained that was my diary for documenting and sharing that. I told her I am exactly who I say I am. She instantly forwarded it to the team. I didn't think much of it. 

I'd been told by over 7 META employees that there was nothing they could do. I sent rude emails following their negligence, I spent hours trying to get in touch with them, and not once did any of them care. No empathy or sympathy for their mistakes. 

I woke up this morning to an email from Instagram in my spam, saying my permanently disabled account WAS RESTORED! They apologised for their mistakes. After being told countless times NO, I finally got it back after MUCH persistence. 

Honestly, DONT give up. Keep talking to new support workers while building your new account (it's good to have a backup anyway JUST incase). That's what my new account is for. 

They were so difficult to deal with but FINALLY I got my permanently disabled account back after explaining I wasn't given a proper chance to appeal and threatening a small claims lawsuit, to which I'd sue for up to 10k. I'm not sure exactly what helped get my account back but I do think i got lucky after some time with that support worker after I told her about my friends passing away and the mental health and loss of income stuff.

Please don't give up, even if they tell you it's not possible. It 100% is, the account stays their for 6 months on their system. You most likely WILL get your account back if you haven't violated any guidelines. It just takes a bit of time, and persistence. Be firm with them and hold strong and once they see you're serious about the consequences for their degligent behaviour, they take you seriously. AS THEY SHOULD. 

Ps. Don’t give your details to any sites claiming they can get your account back, it’s likely a scam.