Meta has relaxed prior limits on Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts as the 2024 election approaches, the firm stated on Friday.
Trump was allowed to return to social media in 2023 with “guardrails” in place after being banned for his online actions during the 6 January revolt. The guardrails have now been removed.
“In assessing our responsibility to allow political expression, we believe that the American people should be able to hear from the nominees for president on the same basis,” Meta said in a blog post, citing the Republican national convention, which is set to take place next week and will officially nominate Trump.
As a result, Meta stated that Trump’s accounts will no longer be subject to heightened suspension penalties, which were developed in response to “extreme and extraordinary circumstances” and “have not had to be deployed”.
“All US presidential candidates remain subject to the same community standards as all Facebook and Instagram users, including those policies designed to prevent hate speech and incitement to violence,” according to the business’s blog entry.
Since his return to Meta’s social networks, Trump has mostly shared campaign information, criticisms on Democratic contender Joe Biden, and memes via his accounts.
Critics of Trump and internet safety advocates are concerned that Trump’s return could result in an increase in misinformation and incitement to violence, as was seen during the Capitol incident that caused his initial ban.
Meta to lift Trump’s Facebook and Instagram restrictions ahead of election https://t.co/8qmohF5cCP
— CNBC (@CNBC) July 12, 2024
The Biden campaign issued a statement on Friday condemning Meta’s decision, calling it a “greedy, reckless decision” that constituted “a direct attack on our safety and democracy.”
“Restoring his access is like handing your car keys to someone you know will drive into a crowd and off a cliff,” said campaign spokesman Charles Kretchmer Lutvak. “It is holding a megaphone for a bonafide racist who will shout his hate and white supremacy from the rooftops and try to take it mainstream.”
In addition to Meta platforms, Twitter (now X), Snapchat, and YouTube have all banned Trump for his online conduct surrounding the January 6 attack.
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