Meta’s Twitter Rival “Threads” Postpones EU Launch Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

Mark Zuckerberg’s social media conglomerate, Meta, has decided to postpone the launch of its Twitter competitor, Threads, in the European Union (EU) due to regulatory uncertainties surrounding the platform’s use of personal data.

Sources within Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, revealed that clashes with EU regulations prompted the decision to delay the EU launch.

The primary concern for Threads lies in complying with the EU’s Digital Markets Act, which includes provisions on sharing user data across different platforms. Meta is awaiting further clarification from the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, regarding the implementation of the legislation before proceeding with its next steps.

However, Threads is still expected to launch as planned in the United Kingdom and the United States on Thursday. The service, featuring a Twitter-like interface, is already being advertised on Apple’s app store.

A countdown timer can be found on Instagram by searching for “Threads,” indicating a morning launch in the US at 10 am ET (3 pm BST).

Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, was quick to highlight the potential data collection by Threads, pointing to the app store’s listing of the types of information that “may be collected,” including “location” and “search history.”

Musk sarcastically commented on Twitter, saying, “Thank goodness they’re so sanely run,” referring to a Meta executive’s statement last month about creating a “sanely run” Twitter-like platform that attracted creators and public figures.

However, Twitter itself acknowledges on its website that it collects user data, such as location, device information, and interactions with other users’ content. Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s co-founder and supporter of another rival service called Bluesky, humorously shared Threads’ app store listing, quipping, “All your Threads are belong to us.”

Meta has faced recent setbacks in the EU with two rulings going against the company. The European Court of Justice upheld the rights of EU watchdogs to investigate privacy breaches, emphasizing the need for user consent before utilizing personal data for targeted advertisements.

In May, an EU ruling ordered Facebook to halt the transfer of user data to the US, potentially leading to the closure of its European services.

Threads is launching amidst further turmoil at Twitter under Elon Musk’s ownership. Musk recently introduced viewing limits for tweets over the weekend, resulting in increased demand for alternative platforms. Bluesky, a rival to Twitter, temporarily paused sign-ups due to the surge, while another alternative, Mastodon, experienced a significant increase in users.