Last Update: July 06, 2023, 01:39 AM IST
Washington DC, United States of America (USA)
Threads’ listing on the Apple App Store. (Image: News18)
Meta is reportedly blocking Threads release in 27 EU countries as it seeks clarity on the bloc’s Digital Markets Act.
Facebook owner Meta’s new Threads app, a Twitter rival, will not be available in the European Union when it launches on Thursday because of regulatory concerns, a source close to the company said.
The app is being seen as the biggest challenger to Twitter ever since its takeover by Elon Musk has thrown chaos into the social media platform hugely popular with politicians and celebrities.
A source close to Meta said on Wednesday that the tech giant is holding back on the Threads release in the 27 countries of the EU as it seeks clarity on the bloc’s Digital Markets Act which will come into full force next year.
The DMA is a landmark law that sets strict rules for the largest internet companies in Europe.
One of those regulations prevents platforms from sharing data across different services. It also prohibits companies from directing platform users towards their products.
Threads’ description on the App Store in the United States indicated that users’ personal data, including contact and geolocation information, would be collected and used for advertising purposes.
Meta has already violated EU rules for its efforts to use WhatsApp’s data to strengthen Instagram and Facebook, which it was forbidden from doing by European regulators.
A spokesperson for Ireland’s Data Protection Commission told the Irish Independent that Meta has confirmed it will not be releasing the app in Europe “at this point”.
Ireland is home to Meta’s EU headquarters, and the national regulator is in charge of overseeing the company in Europe.
Contacted by AFP did not immediately comment on META.
Meta was one of seven companies, including Amazon and Apple, that notified the EU on Tuesday that they meet the threshold to be covered under the new rules when they come into force next year.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – AFP,