Meta won’t launch Twitter-like Threads app in European Union due to regulatory concerns
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reportedly decided to delay the launch of its much-anticipated app “Threads” in European Union (EU) countries due to increasing regulatory pressure in the region. As of Wednesday, the app was not available in app stores in Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. However, users in the US and the United Kingdom can pre-download the app from Apple’s App Store in preparation for its expected debut on Thursday. The decision to exclude EU countries is said to be a result of the uncertainty surrounding the Digital Markets Act, which governs how large technology companies share user data across different platforms. A source familiar with the matter revealed that Meta is waiting for further guidance on how the regulations will impact Threads.
In recent years, EU regulators have taken action against Meta, including imposing a record $1.3 billion fine in May for transferring European users’ data to servers in the US. Moreover, on Tuesday, a top EU court rejected Meta’s challenge against an order from Germany’s antitrust agency to cease collecting user data. In addition to EU scrutiny, Meta is also facing increased scrutiny in the US. Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Instagram’s recommendation algorithms were aiding the existence of a large pedophile network on the platform. When asked about the exclusion of EU countries from the initial launch list, a Meta representative declined to comment and stated that Threads would be released in over 100 countries initially, with more additions over time.
Threads, described by Meta as an online platform where communities can discuss various topics, will be closely tied to Instagram. Users will be able to use the same username and maintain their existing followers. The app is seen as a direct competitor to Twitter, particularly after Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, enforced limits on the number of tweets users can see per day on the platform. A Meta executive described Threads as a more well-managed alternative to Twitter, which prompted Musk to challenge Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, to a cage match. In response to the upcoming launch of Threads, Musk ridiculed the app’s user data privacy plan.
FAQs:
1. Why has Meta delayed the launch of Threads in EU countries?
Meta has decided to delay the launch of Threads in EU countries due to the increasing regulatory pressure in the region, particularly related to the Digital Markets Act, which affects the sharing of user data across platforms for large technology companies like Meta.
2. Will Threads be available in other countries?
Yes, Threads will be released in over 100 countries initially, with more additions over time. However, Meta has not disclosed the specific countries beyond the initial launch list.
3. How is Threads linked to Instagram?
Threads is closely tied to Instagram, as users will be able to use the same username and maintain their existing followers. The two platforms will be interconnected to facilitate seamless communication between users.
4. How does Threads compare to Twitter?
Threads is seen as a direct competitor to Twitter, offering a text-based platform where users can discuss various topics. Some Meta executives have described Threads as a “sanely run” alternative to Twitter, emphasizing better management practices.
5. What concerns have been raised about Meta’s practices?
Meta has faced scrutiny over its practices, including the transfer of European users’ data to servers in the US, which resulted in a record $1.3 billion fine. In addition, Instagram’s recommendation algorithms were reported to have facilitated the existence of a large pedophile network on the platform, leading to further scrutiny.
Meta cancels launch of Twitter-like Threads app in European Union over regulatory concerns
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has reportedly decided to skip launching its new app, “Threads,” in European Union (EU) countries due to mounting regulatory pressure in the region. As of Wednesday, the app was not available in app stores in Germany, Spain, Italy, and France. In contrast, users in the US and the United Kingdom are able to pre-download the app ahead of its expected debut on Thursday.
The absence of the app in the EU is said to be a result of uncertainty surrounding the Digital Markets Act, which regulates how large tech companies share user data across multiple platforms. Meta is reportedly awaiting more guidance on how these rules will impact Threads.
Meta has faced increased scrutiny from EU regulators over the past few years, including a record $1.3 billion fine in May for transferring European user data to US servers. Recently, Meta’s challenge of an order from Germany’s antitrust agency to stop collecting user data was rejected by a top EU court.
Concerns regarding Meta’s practices have also intensified in the US. The Wall Street Journal reported last month that Instagram’s recommendation algorithms had facilitated the existence of a “vast pedophile network” on the platform. However, Meta has not commented on the reasons behind excluding EU nations from the initial launch of Threads.
According to Meta, Threads will be released in more than 100 countries initially and will gradually expand availability. The app is described as an online platform where communities can come together to discuss various topics. Threads will be closely integrated with Instagram, allowing users to use the same username and maintain their existing followers.
Threads is set to directly compete with Twitter and has been described by a Meta executive as a “sanely run” alternative. The launch of Threads prompted Elon Musk to mock its user data privacy plan, adding to the existing animosity between him and Mark Zuckerberg.
Meta has not provided further comment on the matter.