After two years of ban, Facebook parent company Meta has disclosed plan to reinstate the Instagram and Facebook account of former U.S President Donald Trump.
The social media company revealed that it intends to do so in the coming weeks, however they are doing so with new guardrails in place to deter repeat of such offenses.
It further stated that when Trump’s suspension is eventually lifted, there will be a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered if he commits further violations in future, up to and including permanent removal of his pages.
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The company’s president of Global Affairs Nick Clegg in a Twitter post, disclosed that People should be able to hear what politicians are saying, good, bad & ugly, as such following the elapse of Trump 2 year suspension ban, they have decided to reinstate him back on the platform.
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
See what he wrote,
“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.
“Now Trump’s 2-year suspension has elapsed, the question is whether the serious risk to public safety that existed in January 2021 has receded enough to allow the suspension to expire.
“To assess the risk, we evaluated current circumstances according to our Crisis Policy Protocol, established in response to @oversightboard’s guidance, inc looking at conduct of 2022 midterms & expert assessment of security environment.
“We know any decision we make on this will be fiercely criticised. We tried to make it as best we can consistent with our values and the process established in response to @oversightboard’s guidance.
Meanwhile, following the ban of Donald Trump on Facebook and other social media platforms, he went ahead to launch his own social media platform known as “Truth” which is available to invited guests only.
Before Facebook decided to lift the ban on Trump’s account, Republicans have been pressing for him to be allowed back on the platform as he prepares to run for the US presidency again next year.
However, news of Mr Trump’s reinstatement was quickly criticised by Democrats and some activist organisations who expressed concern that he could again use the platforms to repeat false claims that he won the 2020 election.
California Democratic representative Adam Schiff wrote on Twitter, “Trump incited an insurrection, giving him back access to a social media platform to spread his lies and demagoguery is dangerous.”
Trump incited an insurrection. And tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power.
He’s shown no remorse. No contrition.
Giving him back access to a social media platform to spread his lies and demagoguery is dangerous.@facebook caved, giving him a platform to do more harm.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 25, 2023