Meta to restore Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts

Meta will allow former president Donald Trump back on its platforms, Instagram and Facebook, in the coming weeks. However, lifting his ban caused by Jan.6 attack will come with new guardrails.

The tech giant decided to restrict Trump’s account after the Capitol riots attack. During this time, he posted claims of a stolen election while expressing support for the protestors. He also scrutinized ex-vice-president Mike Pence even if he received life threats from the mob.

Back then, Meta’s president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, said that the account’s suspension was “an extraordinary decision taken in extraordinary circumstances.” He also confirmed that Meta thought “whether there remain such extraordinary circumstances that extending the suspension beyond the original two-year period is justified.”

As a general rule, we don’t want to get in the way of open debate on our platforms, esp in context of democratic elections. People should be able to hear what politicians are saying – good, bad & ugly – to make informed choices at the ballot box. 1/4

— Nick Clegg (@nickclegg) January 25, 2023

But the tables have turned. Clegg explained their decision in a blog post. He said they would lift the ban but “with new guardrails in place to deter repeat offenses. Like any other Facebook or Instagram user, Mr. Trump is subject to our community standards.”

He also wrote, “In the event that Mr. Trump posts further violating content, the content will be removed, and he will be suspended for between one month and two years, depending on the severity of the violation.”

In the end, the company came up with the decision to lift Donald Trump’s suspension. They claim their platforms should be accessible for “open, public, and democratic debate.” They also said that users “should be able to hear from a former President of the United States, and a declared candidate for that office again.”

FACING THE TRUTH: Trump reacts to Meta's announcement that he will be reinstated on Facebook and Instagram. https://t.co/9TqJPpbuXp pic.twitter.com/KqNbREWyyC

— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) January 25, 2023

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Clegg said, “The public should be able to hear what their politicians are saying – the good, the bad, and the ugly – so that they can make informed choices at the ballot box.” In 2021, CEO Mark Zuckerberg explained the reason for Trump’s ban in a post.

Although it’s still uncertain if Trump will return to posting on the platforms, his new campaign implied that he wants to return. he explained this in a letter he sent to Meta in January.

The letter said, “We believe that the ban on President Donald Trump’s account on Facebook has dramatically distorted and inhibited the public discourse.”

Meta’s move might influence how other social media platforms will balance content moderation and free speech. Especially when it comes to political involvement. A debate was now up about this issue, especially since Trump had announced his run for the US presidency again.

According to a report by The Guardian, online safety supporters have warned that Trump’s com, back in social media, will end up in the surge of misinformation and violence. Since social media platforms banned Trump, he still promoted conspiracy theories. These are some of the contents dominating his social media network, Truth Social.

Aside from Meta, which has banned Donald Trump, Twitter also lifted his ban lat last year under Elon Musk’s ownership. Moreover, YouTube hasn’t made any announcements yet of all9waing Trump back. Snapchat still hasn’t followed suit to lift his suspension. For more news and interesting stories, check out Inquirer.net