Meta’s planned Twitter killer, Threads, is already facing privacy headwinds in the European Union. The app, which is designed to be a more intimate and private way to communicate with friends, collects a wide range of personal data, including health and financial information, precise location, browsing history, contacts, search history, and other sensitive information.
This level of data collection is likely to raise concerns among EU regulators, who have been cracking down on tech giants for their aggressive data collection practices. The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives individuals the right to control their personal data, and it’s unclear whether Threads would comply with the GDPR.
In addition, the EU is considering new regulations that would further restrict the collection and use of personal data by tech giants. These regulations, known as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), could make it even more difficult for Meta to launch Threads in the EU.
Also Read: Forget About the Steam Deck, Here is the ROG Ally: Detailed Specs and Features
The DSA would require tech giants to obtain explicit consent from users before collecting their personal data. The DMA would also prohibit tech giants from combining data from different sources, which could make it difficult for Meta to build a profile of users based on their activity on Threads.
It’s unclear whether Meta will be able to launch Threads in the EU. The company has not yet commented on the matter. However, the privacy concerns raised by the app make it unlikely that it will be able to launch without making significant changes to its data collection practices.
Here are some of the key privacy concerns about Threads:
- The app collects a wide range of personal data, including health and financial information, precise location, browsing history, contacts, search history, and other sensitive information.
- It is unclear whether Threads would comply with the GDPR, which gives individuals the right to control their personal data.
- The EU is considering new regulations that would further restrict the collection and use of personal data by tech giants. These regulations could make it even more difficult for Meta to launch Threads in the EU.
Discover more from Techspace Africa
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.