Washington – In a surprising turn, many Facebook and Instagram users found themselves automatically following President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s official accounts after the inauguration. While some believed it to be a glitch, Meta clarified it as standard practice during a change in administration.
Meta spokesman Andy Stone explained that followers of the outgoing administration’s accounts are transferred to the new ones. This policy ensures continuity for the official POTUS and White House accounts but has drawn criticism from users who feel the practice lacks transparency. Those affected can unfollow or block the accounts with a few clicks.
At the same time, Instagram users have encountered search restrictions for hashtags like "#Democrat" and "#Democrats," which show a “results hidden” message. Meta attributed this to a technical issue affecting multiple hashtags, not just politically charged ones. “It’s an issue affecting a variety of hashtags, not limited to those on the left,” Stone clarified. However, discrepancies in search results between terms like “#Republicans” and “#Republican” have led to accusations of bias.
These developments coincide with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s notable pivot towards the Trump administration. Having attended Trump’s inauguration, Zuckerberg has announced plans to dissolve Meta’s partnerships with independent fact-checkers, claiming such initiatives contributed to “too much censorship.” He also emphasized the need to “return to free expression,” a move that critics warn could exacerbate the spread of misinformation.
Additionally, Meta is aligning its corporate policies with the Trump administration’s broader agenda. The company has begun phasing out its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives while appointing a new leadership team that includes Joel Kaplan, a longtime Republican ally. These shifts raise concerns about the platform’s commitment to diversity and its role in shaping public discourse.
As these changes unfold, public reaction remains divided. While some view Meta’s actions as a long-overdue correction to perceived overreach in moderation, others see them as a worrying sign of corporate alignment with political power. For many, the automatic following of Trump and Vance’s accounts serves as a reminder of the increasing entanglement between tech giants and political influence.
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