Visitors will now be able to take selfies in the White House for the first time in 40 years. First Lady Michelle Obama announced the lifting of the White House's longstanding camera and photography ban on public tours, in a video she posted on her Instagram account on Wednesday, according to The Washington Post.
"If you've been on a White House tour you may have seen this sign," the first lady says holding a sign that reads "No photos or social media allowed."
"Well, not anymore!" she says, as she rips up the sign in half.
"Visitors are now able to take photos and keep those memories for a lifetime," the White House said on Wednesday, encouraging visitors and tourists to share their photos on social media using the hashtag #WhiteHouseTour.
The photo ban was imposed by the Secret Service in order to protect the President from potential security breaches. The public tours, which can be arranged only through a member of Congress or White House official, gives visitors access to the East and West wings of the building, Bloomberg reported.
While photography is permitted in the White House, "Video cameras, including any action camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, tripods, monopods, and camera sticks (selfie sticks) are not permitted on White House Tours," according to a White House press release.
