Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc. on Friday said it would lift restrictions it placed on accounts of former President Donald Trump last year, a move the social-media company said was intended to level the playing field for this year’s presidential election.
“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,” Nick Clegg, Meta’s president of global affairs, said in an updated announcement.
“As a result, former President Trump, as the nominee of the Republican Party, will no longer be subject to the heightened suspension penalties,” he continued.
Last year, Meta said it would restore Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The company had banned him in the wake of the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, following his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
But Trump still faced possible suspensions for future violations of Meta’s posting guidelines.