Is it acceptable for politicians to try and control what is said about them, for their previous lives?

We have so many examples, in India/Pakistan, Modi and Khan; in Russia, Putin; in Australia, the prime minister; in England, Starmer and Reeves.....

They get indignant when they are found out, but are vociferous about others when they are holding power, like Starmer when Johnson was the Prime Minister......

And, Trump!