Meta has recently updated its policy regarding former President Donald Trump’s access to Instagram and Facebook. The company has decided to loosen its restrictions on Trump’s use of the platforms, stating that he should be able to communicate with the American public on the same level as other potential presidential candidates.
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The update on Meta’s policy was released on Friday in anticipation of upcoming party conventions. Meta announced that as the Republican Party nominee, Trump will no longer face heightened penalties on the platforms.
Meta stated that previous penalties were a response to extraordinary circumstances and that when Trump was reinstated, it was done cautiously with new guidelines in place to prevent repeat offenses. The company emphasized that the public should have access to politicians’ voices to make informed decisions.
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Meta also emphasized that all U.S. Presidential candidates must adhere to the same Community Standards on Facebook and Instagram, including policies against hate speech and incitement to violence.
In 2021, Trump appealed to Meta’s oversight board to lift his suspension, which was finally granted in January 2023 after more than two years of his ban.
