Threads is finally available in Europe

After a five-month wait, Meta's latest social networking app Threads is finally available to European Union residents. "Today, we're expanding Threads into more European countries. Welcome everyone," Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted on the network.

Threads is Mark Zuckerberg's response to X, previously Twitter, which has been losing subscribers gradually since Elon Musk took control last year.The social networking platform, which can only be accessible through Instagram, essentially capitalized on X's numerous problems. The short-text platform functions similarly to its competitor.You may engage with other users' postings from the main section, and you can find other Threads users by using the search icon.

To celebrate with today's debut, Meta is allowing EU users to explore Threads without creating an account. However, in order to upload or engage with material, you must have an Instagram account.

Threads reached 100 million sign-ups less than a week after its July launch, when it was available in over 100 countries, including the United Kingdom. This propelled it to the top of the list of fastest growing online platforms in history, dethroning ChatGPT, which took two months to attain the same number of members.

Despite the fact that Threads was not yet available in the EU, these record numbers were obtained. Threads was removed from EU app stores by Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) soon before its release.

According to the authorities, the new site draws sensitive data from Instagram, including behavioral and advertising information, which may violate EU privacy regulations. Many suspected that the delay was caused by the upcoming Digital Markets Act, which covers a range of major tech privacy concerns, including cross-platform content sharing.

Although Meta has not specifically mentioned the law, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has blamed the delay on "the complexities with complying with some of the laws coming into effect next year." Companies designated as "gatekeepers" under the DMA, such as Meta, have until March 2024 to comply with its criteria.

Threads has just around 100 million monthly active users, according to Zuckerberg, who believes it might reach one billion in a few years.The EU release is Threads' most significant expansion since its inception, bringing a half-billion more users to the network.