Meta Blocks EU-Based Users From Accessing Threads Via VPNs

Meta has announced that it is actively blocking attempts by European Union (EU) users to access its new social app, Threads, through virtual private networks (VPNs).

The decision comes after numerous complaints from EU-based users who were unable to access the app using VPNs.

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In a statement provided to social media consultant Matt Navarra, Meta acknowledged that Threads is currently unavailable in most European countries.

Instagram appears to have blocked EU users from accessing Threads via a VPN

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Is this true @mosseri ? pic.twitter.com/3QcqoKeGuo

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) July 14, 2023

Okay, it actually seems as if Meta truly decided to ban Europe in Threads, as it's available globally, but not from Europe (even with a VPN). pic.twitter.com/Al64RL674G

— Yury Molodtsov ⚡️ (@y_molodtsov) July 14, 2023

It also stated that it has implemented additional measures to prevent access from those regions.

The company emphasized the importance of the European market and expressed hope for expanding Threads to more countries in the future.

The privacy concerns surrounding Threads stem from its extensive tracking of users, as disclosed in Meta’s privacy policy and the app’s iOS listing.

The app collects a wide range of personal data, including sensitive information like health and financial data, precise location, browsing history, contacts, and search history.

Compliance with EU data protection laws presents legal and regulatory challenges for Meta, particularly in terms of obtaining a valid legal basis for processing such personal data for targeted ads.

Furthermore, Meta faces uncertainty regarding the application of the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA is the EU’s new ex-ante antitrust regime, which imposes limitations on how dominant platforms can combine data for advertising purposes.

Meta has cited the uncertainty surrounding the DMA’s impact on its data usage as one of the reasons for delaying the launch of Threads in the EU.

Despite not being officially available in most of Europe, Threads has garnered significant interest, surpassing 100 million sign-ups within a few from launch days.

However, analytics monitoring firm Sensor Tower reported a 20% decrease in daily active users compared to Saturday, as well as a decline in time spent on the app.

This trend raises questions about whether the initial excitement surrounding Threads as a Meta version of Twitter will subside over time.

Meta recently updated the iOS version of Threads, introducing support for iOS 17 and reducing the binary size, among other small improvements.

In response to user inquiries about the absence of web or desktop support, engineer Cameron Roth explained that enabling such functionality is not a simple task.

As Meta navigates the complexities of data privacy regulations and strives to address user concerns, the future availability and success of Threads in the EU remains uncertain.

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The company’s commitment to the European market suggests a willingness to overcome the challenges and eventually bring the app to more countries in the region.