Social Media Controversy: Users Forced to Follow Trump’s Accounts
A recent outcry on Instagram has users claiming they’re being forced to follow President Donald Trump’s social media accounts without their consent. However, a Meta representative has clarified that this is not the case.
Presidential Transition Explained
When a new administration takes office in the United States, official social media accounts are handed over to the new leaders. This means that users who previously followed the accounts will continue to see posts from @POTUS, @VP, and @FLOTUS, as well as the former administration’s archive accounts.
No Automatic Following
Andy Stone, a spokesperson for Meta, assured users that they were not automatically made to follow any of the official Facebook or Instagram accounts for the President, Vice President, or First Lady. The content on these pages changes with each new administration, and users can choose to unfollow them at any time.
A Look Back at Past Transitions
This is not the first time this issue has arisen. The Obama administration addressed the matter in a blog post ahead of the 2016 election, explaining that the incoming White House would gain access to the White House username, URL, and retain the followers, but would start with no content on the timeline.
Archiving Content
The Obama administration also ensured that all posts and materials created by the accounts would be preserved with the National Archives and Records Administration. New accounts were created to preserve the content, such as @ObamaWhiteHouse and @potus46archive.
Political Tensions Rise
The controversy comes amid rising political tensions on Meta’s platforms. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has faced criticism for his recent policy changes, including eliminating third-party fact checking and ending the company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program. His donation to Trump’s inauguration and attendance at the event have also raised eyebrows.
Zuckerberg’s Recent Moves
Zuckerberg’s appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, where he touted the benefits of masculinity, has sparked further debate. The appointment of Joel Kaplan, a former Republican White House staffer, as Meta’s new policy chief has also raised concerns.
Users Speak Out
As the controversy continues to unfold, users are speaking out against what they see as an attempt to silence opposing voices. With the political landscape increasingly divided, it remains to be seen how Meta will navigate these complex issues.
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