Meta’s Threads won’t Launch in EU over Privacy Concerns

Meta’s Twitter rival app won’t launch in the EU yet on the concerns of data privacy, TechCrunch reported on Wednesday. 

In the United States, the platform informs users that it will collect a wide range of personal information, such as health and financial data, browsing history, location, purchases, contacts, search history, and sensitive information.

However, the EU under DMA  has prohibited Meta from introducing advertising services on WhatsApp that utilize data from Facebook or Instagram. The new platform is created to collect information from Instagram, specifically regarding user behavior and interactions with advertisements. 

Meta is eagerly awaiting additional guidance on the Digital Markets Act, which are new rules in the European Union that govern how big online platforms can use their market influence, Bloomberg reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The European Union is currently discussing the regulations with the company and is expected to give guidance in September, the report added. 

On Tuesday seven companies including Meta said that they meet the criteria of ‘gatekeeper’ which means they will have to meet EU’s tougher rules under Digital Markets Act. Companies violating DMA can be fined up to 10% of annual global turnover. 

Threads, released worldwide on Thursday is touted as a rival to Twitter. In the first two hours it passed 2 million sign ups, said Mark Zuckerberg on Threads post.