In response to user claims of being compelled to follow new Trump administration accounts, Meta has clarified that these accounts were updated as per standard protocol for presidential transitions, following the inauguration of Donald Trump.
Meta Clarifies Allegations of Forcing Trump Account Follows
Meta Clarifies Allegations of Forcing Trump Account Follows
Meta has addressed user complaints regarding automatic follows of Trump administration accounts on its platforms.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, faced backlash from users who reported having been "automatically" following official accounts for President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, and First Lady Melania Trump following the recent inauguration. In a statement, Meta spokesman Andy Stone emphasized that the accounts in question are managed by the White House and were simply updated to reflect the new personnel in their respective roles, affirming that similar processes were executed during previous transitions.
The official accounts—Potus (President of the United States), VicePresident, and Flotus (First Lady of the United States)—had previously displayed the names and images of Joe Biden and Jill Biden and will take time for any follow or unfollow requests to process due to the transition of management.
With Trump now back in office, he swiftly enacted a series of executive orders, including withdrawal from the World Health Organization and a declaration of a national emergency on the US-Mexico border. His inauguration drew notable tech figures, including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and X's CEO, Elon Musk.
This week also marks a significant turn in Meta's relationship with Trump. The former president had been critical of the platform, especially following his ban in 2021, linked to the January 6 Capitol riots. Notably, Zuckerberg expressed regret over the ban, and in August, Trump suggested severe repercussions for Zuckerberg if he interfered with the upcoming elections.
However, since Trump's election victory in November, Meta appears to be recalibrating its approach, as evidenced by Zuckerberg's recent social engagements with Trump and significant financial contributions to the inauguration. Additionally, it signifies a shift in Meta’s moderation policies, moving away from third-party fact-checking in favor of a new model aimed at promoting free expression.
As the political landscape evolves, the intersection of social media and governance remains a contentious and vital topic worthy of close examination.
The official accounts—Potus (President of the United States), VicePresident, and Flotus (First Lady of the United States)—had previously displayed the names and images of Joe Biden and Jill Biden and will take time for any follow or unfollow requests to process due to the transition of management.
With Trump now back in office, he swiftly enacted a series of executive orders, including withdrawal from the World Health Organization and a declaration of a national emergency on the US-Mexico border. His inauguration drew notable tech figures, including Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and X's CEO, Elon Musk.
This week also marks a significant turn in Meta's relationship with Trump. The former president had been critical of the platform, especially following his ban in 2021, linked to the January 6 Capitol riots. Notably, Zuckerberg expressed regret over the ban, and in August, Trump suggested severe repercussions for Zuckerberg if he interfered with the upcoming elections.
However, since Trump's election victory in November, Meta appears to be recalibrating its approach, as evidenced by Zuckerberg's recent social engagements with Trump and significant financial contributions to the inauguration. Additionally, it signifies a shift in Meta’s moderation policies, moving away from third-party fact-checking in favor of a new model aimed at promoting free expression.
As the political landscape evolves, the intersection of social media and governance remains a contentious and vital topic worthy of close examination.
