Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has refuted claims that users were compelled to follow official accounts of Donald Trump and his administration. Following Trump’s recent inauguration, several users reported being automatically subscribed to new presidential accounts, including the official handles for the President of the United States (POTUS), Vice-President, and First Lady (FLOTUS).
Meta's Response to Allegations of Forcing Users to Follow Trump Accounts
Meta's Response to Allegations of Forcing Users to Follow Trump Accounts
Meta addresses user concerns regarding automatic follows of Trump administration accounts on Facebook and Instagram.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone clarified that these accounts were managed by the White House and that the changes reflect updates as part of routine presidential transitions, a procedure consistent with prior changes between administrations. The accounts in question transitioned from representing former President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden to Trump's current administration.
Stone explained that the backlog in processing follow and unfollow requests might explain user experiences of like auto-following the new accounts. Trump, who has resumed office, has been active in issuing executive orders, including significant policy changes in health and border security. The inauguration was notable, attended by prominent tech leaders such as Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X’s founder Elon Musk.
Despite past tensions between Trump and Meta, the relationship appears to be thawing, highlighted by Zuckerberg's dining with Trump and contributions towards his inauguration. Recently, Meta also announced a shift away from third-party fact-checking, aligning its practices more closely with the community moderation model like that of X, prompting speculation that it is trying to engage with Trump and address previous criticisms about censorship.
With Trump's ongoing presidency expected to stir further debate, Meta's decisions and user interactions on its platforms remain a focal point in discussions surrounding free expression and social media responsibilities.
Social Media Response, Presidential Transition, User Experience Issues
Stone explained that the backlog in processing follow and unfollow requests might explain user experiences of like auto-following the new accounts. Trump, who has resumed office, has been active in issuing executive orders, including significant policy changes in health and border security. The inauguration was notable, attended by prominent tech leaders such as Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X’s founder Elon Musk.
Despite past tensions between Trump and Meta, the relationship appears to be thawing, highlighted by Zuckerberg's dining with Trump and contributions towards his inauguration. Recently, Meta also announced a shift away from third-party fact-checking, aligning its practices more closely with the community moderation model like that of X, prompting speculation that it is trying to engage with Trump and address previous criticisms about censorship.
With Trump's ongoing presidency expected to stir further debate, Meta's decisions and user interactions on its platforms remain a focal point in discussions surrounding free expression and social media responsibilities.
Social Media Response, Presidential Transition, User Experience Issues
