Instagram has admitted to accidentally altering user settings to automatically limit political content just days before the first presidential debate on Thursday. The setting, initially introduced by parent company Meta in February, was designed to give users the option to reduce the amount of political content in their feeds. However, it appears that many users had this setting applied without their consent.
A spokesperson for Instagram confirmed the mistake and assured users that the company is actively working to correct the issue. “We are aware of an error that caused some users’ settings to be changed inadvertently, resulting in a limitation of political content on their feeds,” the spokesperson said. “We are working diligently to resolve this and restore users’ settings to their preferences.”
The timing of the error is particularly sensitive, as political content is expected to surge with the upcoming presidential debate. The debate, featuring President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, is anticipated to be a major event, with millions of Americans tuning in to hear the candidates’ positions on key issues.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, introduced the option to limit political content in an effort to reduce misinformation and provide users with more control over their social media experience. While the feature has been generally well-received, this recent glitch has raised concerns about the platform’s ability to manage such settings effectively.
Many users took to social media to express their frustration and confusion over the sudden change. “I noticed I wasn’t seeing any political posts and thought it was strange, especially with the debate coming up,” said one user. “It’s important to stay informed, and I rely on social media for that.”
Instagram has not provided a specific timeline for when the issue will be fully resolved but has emphasized that user feedback and transparency are top priorities. The company advises users to check their settings and manually adjust them if they wish to see political content in their feeds.
As the debate approaches, ensuring that users can access political information freely and accurately remains crucial. Instagram’s prompt response and corrective actions will be closely watched by both users and observers, particularly in the context of ongoing discussions about social media’s role in political discourse.
