Meta has blocked EU-based users from using Instagram's newly-launched Threads app via VPN (virtual private network).
After several users complained about being unable to access the app via VPN, Meta confirmed that such attempts are being blocked. Several EU-based users started posting screenshots on Twitter indicating that they were not able to access the Threads app even after using VPN.
Threads is not available in the EU due to privacy concerns; however, Meta said that it hopes to make the micro blogging site available in Europe in the future.
“Threads is not currently available in most countries in Europe and we’ve taken additional steps to prevent people based there from accessing it at this time. Europe continues to be an incredibly important market for Meta and we hope to make Threads available here in the future,” Meta said in a statement.
The Threads app extensively tracks users, per Meta’s privacy policy and the app’s iOS listing — which discloses the app may collect a range of personal data, including highly sensitive information such as health and financial data, precise location, browsing history, contacts and search history.
This approach creates legal and regulatory challenges for Meta in the EU.
Under EU data protection law, Meta requires a valid legal basis to process such personal data legally for ad targeting — an area where the company is facing increasing uncertainty following a recent Court of Justice ruling.
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