Silicon Valley, CA – Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has denied allegations that users were forced to follow official accounts associated with the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Some users claimed they were unable to unfollow accounts linked to President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, and Vice President JD Vance, sparking concerns over user autonomy on the platform. However, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone addressed the complaints in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, explaining that the accounts in question are government-managed.
“People were not made to automatically follow any of the official Facebook or Instagram accounts,” Stone stated. He clarified that the transition of these accounts is a routine process managed by the White House when a new administration takes office. The content on these pages shifts to reflect the new administration, and any follow or unfollow requests may take time to process during this transition, he added.
Stone emphasized that this practice mirrors what occurred during the last presidential transition in 2021, when President Joe Biden’s administration took office. Meta maintains that it did not implement any changes that would force users to follow the official accounts.
The controversy has unfolded amidst heightened scrutiny of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s interactions with the Trump administration since the president’s November election victory. Zuckerberg attended Trump’s inauguration earlier this week, held private dinners with him, and has reportedly appointed several of Trump’s allies to key positions within the company.
Additionally, Meta has rolled back several initiatives criticized by conservatives, including suspending its U.S.-based fact-checking program. These actions have fueled speculation about Zuckerberg’s efforts to align Meta with the new administration.
The user complaints come at a time when social media platforms face increasing pressure to balance free expression, platform neutrality, and user privacy. Critics argue that any perception of favoritism could erode public trust in Meta’s commitment to fair practices.
As the transition unfolds, Meta has urged users to report any technical issues they encounter and reiterated its commitment to transparency in managing official accounts. The company has yet to respond to calls for additional safeguards to ensure that users retain full control over the accounts they follow.
Further updates are expected as the administration settles into office and Meta continues to address the backlash.
