Michael Steep of R.E.M. encourages people to boycott it and its role “to help promote the far right in America”. R.E.M. singer asked people to disconnect from all platforms owned by Meta – which also includes Threads, Whatsapp, Messenger, Giphy, Metaquest and Rayban Meta from 19 to 26 January. CORVERSE “I will disconnect this week” the singer of the American rock band wrote in the caption of his posting. “Think of doing the same, that companies like Meta might imagine that there may be consequences for promoting extreme right in America and worldwide”. “Or are we very addicted that we cannot disconnect for a week?” he added. Steep also commented that he feels that Meta’s actions are “so blatant” and noted: “I am very happy to be away for a week as some form of protest – and then I will come back and decide what to do from there.” CORVERSE Facebook’s parent company was renamed Meta in 2021 to “reflect its focus on building the metaverse”. President and CEO is Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg. Earlier this month, the company announced that it is abolishing the use of independent fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram, replacing them with “notes” from the community, type X, where commenting on the accuracy of posts is left to users. Following the decision, Guardian said experts are concerned that this will lead to “rague radicalization” with “medium-sized Facebook users” at risk of being “extremistically exposed” which will make “even more difficult to discern the truth”. The move is considered to be an attempt to get closer to the upcoming US president Trump, who recently stated that he was impressed by Zuckerberg’s decision and added that Meta “has come a long way.” Michael Stipe directly expressed his political views early in his career and recently appeared in gatherings of Democratic candidate for the US presidency, Kamala Harris.
Michael Stipe of R.E.M. calls to a Facebook and Instagram boycott
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in Lifestyle