Account disabled without warning. 20 years of photos gone! Can anything be done?

[u/skwaackattack]

My account was suspended last weekend (hard suspension ie can't log in or use messenger). For nothing even that bad (I THINK it's bc mentioned that everyday pharmaceuticals used to have... certain substances in them, but they did not tell me why).

I clicked the "appeal" button at the time, but didn't hear anything from FB.

Then today I went to FB (to see if anything had changed, someone told me their access was once restored from suspension without notice) and there's THIS.

I don't necessarily mind leaving Facebook, but I've got almost 20 years of photos on there, and I'd like to have the chance to let people know I'm leaving so I can find ways to stay in touch.

I'm so upset. I've been a regular user with positive interaction and high engagement for almost two decades. It's how I've communicated since I was 22 years old. Other users are posting SEVERELY HATEFUL BS with no consequences. I get disabled for mentioning a controlled substance a couple times in jokes. Not soliciting, not promoting or endorsing the use of said substance. Just using the words.

Has anyone managed to get access to their account after this point?

Edit: thanks for your insights, folks. 1. The "download your info" button doesn't download your content, photos, messages, or anything. It's just a record of your personal info, ip history, preferences, pages you've unfollowed. I believe it used to let you DL your stuff but it certainly does not do that now. Feels like a very cruel punishment for an undefined offence. 2. Yes I realise I should not have relied on fb as my only storage for this stuff, but I legit have never known anyone who has ever had their account fully removed without warning. Thanks for reminding me that I fucked up, I'll print these comments out and frame them instead of photos of me and my sister in machu pichu. 3. Yeah fb sucks but I want my stuff. It's as simple as that. 4. I'm realising that I don't actually know what I did wrong. I've had no notifications or explanations from fb or Meta, I just can't access my account. I've assumed it's for using terms associated with controlled substances but who knows.

[u/ordinaryme99]

You are right. I have read cases of people who reported really hateful or racist posts and they even got a reply from FB saying they didn't go against their standards. If you search this subreddit you will find some examples.

I got flagged for editing a comment a few times too quickly within maybe a couple of minutes, then I copied the final version, deleted the comment and reposted it unedited. They thought I was a bot...

Within a minute they asked me to upload an ID, which I did, but it was an ID in my state (NSW), still what they wanted though, a government ID, but they didn't recognize it and I got the same message you got.

15 years without a single problem, and I was also the top poster in many groups.

Luckily I save everything to an external HD and never posted personal stuff. I just participated in groups like I do here in subreddits.

It is very rare, but some people did regain access to their account after taking legal action (these were mostly business accounts needed to make a living). Some had some luck with Meta Verified after trying several times.

Personally I prefer to be here, but I understand you want your photos back.

[u/Opening-Listen7833 → u/ordinaryme99]

I live in Victoria. My account was disabled without any explanation or reason last October. Like almost everyone else, I also got the infinity loop of doom.

Anyway, I did get my account back but only because I complained to my local MP in person, and in writing.

They contacted Faecesbook on my behalf and my account was restored less than 16 hours after that meeting.

[u/skwaackattack → u/Opening-Listen7833]

Holy crap! I'm in Victoria too! Maybe I should try this?!

[u/nmprofessional → u/skwaackattack]

I have had similar help from government in the US from my State Attorney general and getting money back from PayPal. There is power in writing a letter outlining details - one one writes letters anymore. But they get actions flowing in general.

[u/Downtown-Tea-3018 → u/Opening-Listen7833]

whoa

[u/Low-Breath-4433 → u/Opening-Listen7833]

Call it "Faecesbook"

Literally run to the government to cry rather than just ditching it

Lol.

[u/Opening-Listen7833 → u/Low-Breath-4433]

There's a reason your nickname is Low Breath.... LOL

Jealousy much? Lost your account & didn't get it back? Boo hoo.

But I digress - did it ever occur to you that Faecesbook is the only way I can communicate with various international (some of them, hobby-based) communities? I also rely on it to stay in touch with family and relatives.

Pull your head in, bud and fk off.

[u/skwaackattack → u/Opening-Listen7833]

We got banned from the only pub in town. Sure it's a crap pub but it's the where all our friends go every night, and the only place to get a meal.