Meta has added a new default control setting to Instagram
and Threads, that limits recommendations of political content from accounts
that one doesn’t follow. Meta defines “political content” as posts about governments,
elections, and social topics.
The setting was first introduced in February and started
rolling out to more users since last week, but without any notifications
informing people about the update.
The option is available within “content preferences” in account settings as “Limit political content from people you don’t follow.” Although activated by default, it can be disabled by a user who wishes to see more political content on Meta’s apps. Meta also clarifies that the setting does not change the visibility of political content from accounts that a user follows.
According to the Meta, the update was necessary for improved user-experience because most people don’t want to see political content on their feeds. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri emphasized that the revenue driven from engagement with political content is not worth the “scrutiny, negativity, or integrity risks” that it brings along with it.
