Threads: Meta blocks EU access to new Twitter alternative
from David Wurm 
on July 17, 2023, 12:00 pm | Write a comment
After several EU-based users complained about being unable to access Instagram's Threads app via VPN, Meta confirmed that it blocks such efforts. What's behind it? Can you use the app otherwise?
In a nutshell: Meta launched the Threads app last week, but it's not available in the EU due to privacy concerns. The company said in a statement that it has taken further measures to prevent users from accessing the new social app.
- Meta blocks EU users from accessing Instagram's Threads app over VPN.
- The app is not available in the EU for the time being due to privacy concerns.
- Meta is working to bring Threads to Europe to meet legal requirements and protect our privacy rights.
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Instagram blocks EU users from accessing threads via VPN
"Threads is currently unavailable in most countries in Europe and we have taken additional steps to prevent people from accessing it there. Europe continues to be an incredibly important market for meta, and we hope to make threads available here in the future," a statement read.TechCrunch".
Before that, several EU users started posting screenshots on Twitter indicating that they were unable to access the Threads app even after using VPN.
Proproblems with EU data protection law & Digital Markets Act
The Threads app tracks its users extensively, in accordance with Meta's privacy policy and the app's iOS listing, which indicates that the app may collect a wide range of personal data, including highly sensitive information such as health and financial data, exact location, browsing history, contacts and search history. This approach poses legal and regulatory challenges for Meta in the EU.
Under EU data protection law (GDPR), Meta needs a valid legal basis to legally process such personal data for advertising purposes - an area in which the company is increasingly uncertain following a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice.
That's not all: The EU's new competition rule, the Digital Markets Act, also sets limits on how dominant giants can combine data for advertising. Meta has reportedly cited uncertainty about how the DMA will impact data usage across its business as a reason for delaying the launch of Threads in the EU.
Twitter alternative very successful at launch
Despite the "limited" launch in app stores, Meta's Twitter rival has got off to a good start, with the app racking up over 100 million signups in just a few days. Of course, there was no hurdle either, apart from using your own Instagram account to register.
However, reported the Analysis company Sensor Tower, that daily active users decreased by 20 compared to Saturday of last week Procents have dropped and the time spent in the app has also decreased. It remains to be seen if the hype around threads will fade to background noise as the newsworthiness of a Zuckerberg version of Twitter fades.
