Story perspectives

Meta Faces Backlash Over Automatic Trump Account Refollows

1/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Meta is under fire as users, including stars like Demi Lovato, discovered they were automatically refollowed by official accounts for Trump and his administration on Instagram. While Meta insists this is routine during transitions, critics see it as a troubling sign of a rightward shift in policies following leadership changes.

History

Historical Context

Meta's recent controversy over automatically refollowing Trump accounts echoes past instances of social media's role in political manipulation. Following the 2016 U.S. election, platforms faced scrutiny for enabling misinformation and echo chambers, shaping public opinion. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about social media's influence on democracy and the potential for algorithmic biases to reinforce political divides, reminiscent of tactics seen in authoritarian regimes.

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Story summary

Meta is under fire as users, including stars like Demi Lovato, discovered they were automatically refollowed by official accounts for Trump and his administration on Instagram. While Meta insists this is routine during transitions, critics see it as a troubling sign of a rightward shift in policies following leadership changes.

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