Meta's X Rival Threads Now Available in the EU, Announces Zuckerberg

After an initial surge in popularity, Meta's X rival, Threads, experienced a decline, but has recently started to gain users again with engagement improving on the platform. Adding to this momentum, Threads is now finally launching in the EU. Its launch was previously delayed due to data privacy concerns, but this has now been resolved.

“Today we're opening Threads to more countries in Europe. Welcome everyone,” Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced on Threads.

This development follows just a day after Meta announced the activation of cross-posts from Threads accounts to Mastodon and other ActivityPub protocol-based services.

Since July, there have been several updates, including allowing users to delete their Threads account individually without affecting their Instagram account. The new Threads.Net web interface was also launched.

While Threads is being launched in the EU, it will be in a restricted format. Users will not be able to create accounts or interact on the platform. They will be able to view content on Threads, share content, and report offensive material. However, due to the EU Digital Markets Act and the "upcoming regulatory uncertainty" it presents, users in the EU will not be able to interact with comments or create their own Threads ID. As a workaround, users can link their Threads to an Instagram profile, which is a response to the uncertainty caused by the EU rules.

“Starting today, people in the EU can choose to create a Threads profile that is connected to their Instagram account – which means they get the same experience as everyone else around the world – or use Threads without a profile. People who use Threads without a profile can browse content on Threads, search for accounts, share content via link copying or platform sharing, and report Threads content, but can’t interact with content,” Meta stated.