In light of Donald Trump’s second inauguration, some users reported automatically following accounts for Trump and his officials, prompting Meta's explanation that these accounts are managed by the White House, a practice consistent with previous transitions.
Meta Refutes Claims of Mandatory Following for Trump Accounts
Meta Refutes Claims of Mandatory Following for Trump Accounts
Meta has clarified that users are not being forced to follow new Trump administration accounts despite complaints.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently addressed complaints from users after Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday. Some individuals claimed they were "automatically" made to follow the official accounts of Trump along with Vice-President JD Vance and First Lady Melania Trump. Responding to this, Meta spokesman Andy Stone stated that the accounts are updated by the White House to reflect the newly appointed officials. He emphasized, “This is the same procedure we followed during the last presidential transition.”
The accounts in question include handles like Potus, representing "president of the United States," VicePresident, and Flotus, which stands for First Lady. Historical data indicates that these accounts previously featured Joe Biden and Jill Biden’s names and portraits. Stone added that it might take some time for users' requests to follow or unfollow accounts due to the transition process.
As Trump steps into his role as US president for a second term, he has swiftly issued several executive orders that denote his political agenda, spanning from withdrawing the US from the World Health Organisation to declaring a national emergency at the Mexico border. His inauguration attracted notable tech moguls, including Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X's chief Elon Musk.
Previously, Trump was critical of Meta for banning him in 2021, citing his "praise for people engaged in violence" linked to the January 6 Capitol riots. Trump's team has also accused the company of collaborating with the Biden administration to suppress information relating to allegations involving Biden’s son, Hunter, and details about the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, Zuckerberg has expressed regret for the ban on Trump.
In August, Trump predicted that Zuckerberg might face significant legal consequences if he interferes with the 2024 presidential election. However, the relationship appears to have transformed since Trump emerged victorious in the November elections, with Zuckerberg also donating $1 million towards Trump’s inauguration and enjoying dinner with him at Mar-a-Lago.
In a recent shift, Meta announced its decision to cease third-party fact-checking processes in favor of a community-based approach akin to X's community notes, which is perceived as a effort to rectify prior criticisms from Trump regarding their operations. The company reiterated its commitment to prioritizing free expression on its platforms.
The accounts in question include handles like Potus, representing "president of the United States," VicePresident, and Flotus, which stands for First Lady. Historical data indicates that these accounts previously featured Joe Biden and Jill Biden’s names and portraits. Stone added that it might take some time for users' requests to follow or unfollow accounts due to the transition process.
As Trump steps into his role as US president for a second term, he has swiftly issued several executive orders that denote his political agenda, spanning from withdrawing the US from the World Health Organisation to declaring a national emergency at the Mexico border. His inauguration attracted notable tech moguls, including Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X's chief Elon Musk.
Previously, Trump was critical of Meta for banning him in 2021, citing his "praise for people engaged in violence" linked to the January 6 Capitol riots. Trump's team has also accused the company of collaborating with the Biden administration to suppress information relating to allegations involving Biden’s son, Hunter, and details about the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, Zuckerberg has expressed regret for the ban on Trump.
In August, Trump predicted that Zuckerberg might face significant legal consequences if he interferes with the 2024 presidential election. However, the relationship appears to have transformed since Trump emerged victorious in the November elections, with Zuckerberg also donating $1 million towards Trump’s inauguration and enjoying dinner with him at Mar-a-Lago.
In a recent shift, Meta announced its decision to cease third-party fact-checking processes in favor of a community-based approach akin to X's community notes, which is perceived as a effort to rectify prior criticisms from Trump regarding their operations. The company reiterated its commitment to prioritizing free expression on its platforms.
