Meta clarifies that any changes made to account follows during the Trump administration transition were standard procedure, refuting user complaints of forced follows.
**Meta Addresses User Complaints about Trump Accounts Following Inauguration**
**Meta Addresses User Complaints about Trump Accounts Following Inauguration**
Users Claim Automatic Following of New Administration's Accounts Denied by Meta
In the wake of Donald Trump's second inauguration on Monday, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has responded to user complaints regarding the automatic following of official accounts belonging to the newly installed Trump administration. Many users expressed frustration at apparently being required to follow the official accounts, which include Potus, VicePresident, and Flotus.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone explained that these accounts are managed by the White House, which updated them following the transition of power, a practice consistent with previous presidential handovers. Stone clarified, "This is the same procedure we followed during the last presidential transition," indicating that such changes may take some time to process, as the accounts shift administrations.
On the day of his inauguration, Trump swiftly initiated a number of executive orders emphasizing his political intentions, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization and declaring a national emergency at the southern border. The inauguration garnered attention from influential figures in the tech industry, including Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X's chief, Elon Musk, who has taken on an advisory role within the administration.
Trump's past grievances against Meta, particularly concerning the platform's ban imposed in 2021 following the January 6 Capitol riots, have hung over the company. Trump has accused Meta of colluding with the previous administration to censor unfavorable narratives. Recently, Zuckerberg regretfully acknowledged the ban.
Despite these tensions, former President Trump has seemingly reconciled with Zuckerberg, engaging with him socially and financially in the wake of his electoral victory in November. Meta recently signaled an adjustment in its content moderation policies, announcing a shift away from third-party fact-checking towards a community-driven approach.
With impending decisions that could shape the social media landscape and amid continuing political polarization, Meta's relationship with the new administration will be under close scrutiny in the coming months.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone explained that these accounts are managed by the White House, which updated them following the transition of power, a practice consistent with previous presidential handovers. Stone clarified, "This is the same procedure we followed during the last presidential transition," indicating that such changes may take some time to process, as the accounts shift administrations.
On the day of his inauguration, Trump swiftly initiated a number of executive orders emphasizing his political intentions, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization and declaring a national emergency at the southern border. The inauguration garnered attention from influential figures in the tech industry, including Meta's CEO Mark Zuckerberg and X's chief, Elon Musk, who has taken on an advisory role within the administration.
Trump's past grievances against Meta, particularly concerning the platform's ban imposed in 2021 following the January 6 Capitol riots, have hung over the company. Trump has accused Meta of colluding with the previous administration to censor unfavorable narratives. Recently, Zuckerberg regretfully acknowledged the ban.
Despite these tensions, former President Trump has seemingly reconciled with Zuckerberg, engaging with him socially and financially in the wake of his electoral victory in November. Meta recently signaled an adjustment in its content moderation policies, announcing a shift away from third-party fact-checking towards a community-driven approach.
With impending decisions that could shape the social media landscape and amid continuing political polarization, Meta's relationship with the new administration will be under close scrutiny in the coming months.
