Meta has released the new app Threads to compete with Twitter and has already seen over 10 million people sign up in the first few hours. The new social platform has reached 100 million users since its launch. But there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Twitter owner Elon Musk has already shown concerns about Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg launching a “copycat app,” and you’ve probably all seen the childish behaviour that has transpired between the owners of these social media giants.
But that aside, we wanted to make people aware of the colossal privacy issues that Threads has and which you may not be aware of. We have seen people flocking in their droves to sign up for Threads. But the fact that the app was launched in 100 countries and the EU has banned its release, for now, should be worrying.
Here we discuss why Threads hasn’t launched in the EU yet and how the new social media app could be using sensitive data without your knowledge or consent.
Briefly on Threads
Threads is a social media platform similar to Twitter. The App allows you to post photos, videos, and texts up to 500 characters. Signing up is very easy; all you have to do is link your Instagram account, making it easy and simple to share Threads on your Instagram story or any other platform.
The app is free to download and use. Which makes it even more desirable among curious users. A major drawback is that users can’t delete their Threads account entirely unless they delete their Instagram account, as they’re tied up. The only way out without completely deleting your Instagram account is to deactivate your Threads account.
Why is Threads launch banned from the EU
The EU has banned the launch of Threads due to non-compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. With this act, platforms of this calibre have to comply with a number of legal obligations and provisions. Such as sharing user data across multiple platforms.
According to Threads data privacy disclosure, the app collects an extraordinary amount of personal data. Which is far in excess of any other social media platform out there. We are talking about sensitive information which is used to profile an individual’s activity. Thingss like search history, purchases, finance, contacts, location and others.
Not only does the new Meta app collect highly sensitive data. It also shares tracked data with third parties about a user’s sexual orientation, race and ethnicity, credit score, religious beliefs, health and employment status.
Europeans won’t be able to download the app until the company determines how data privacy protection and data sharing between the new platform and its Instagram app will be regulated.
If you heard recentlyabout the fine that Facebook received for data protection breaches. You will know that Meta isn’t renowned for complying with privacy and data protection regulations.
Wrapping up
Given the history of Facebook violating European Union data protection rules. We are yet to find out whether the new app is going to make its way into the Europan Union.
With that said, the new app may not deserve a place in the EU. And it may never be allowed. But it does raise the question. Why are people willing to risk so much just to get off of Twitter? Despite the platform tracking far less data and not sharing it with third parties.