The time has finally come! Threads, Meta's new social network, is now available in EU countries. This news was announced by Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, and opens the doors to an additional 448 million people in Europe.
The uniqueness of this expansion is that we EU citizens can use Threads without having an Instagram account. This move is seen as an effort to appease antitrust authorities and make the platform accessible to a wider user base.
Short background story
Threads was launched in July and was available in over 100 countries worldwide, including the US and the UK. However, it is worth noting that Threads was not officially accessible in the EU before. Meta had even taken measures to prevent EU citizens from accessing it via VPN services. This blocking caused resentment and disappointment among many potential users.
Threads launches in EU countries
Today, Mark Zuckerberg proudly announced:
We're excited to launch Threads across Europe and give even more people the opportunity to follow the conversations that interest them.
Although Meta has not provided an official explanation for the delay in the EU, it is suspected that it is due to adjustments to meet the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. In particular, the requirement to have an Instagram account to use Threads has been viewed critically by regulators. This requirement was likely interpreted as "self-referencing," meaning a company using its market power to favor itself or its own services. This theory appears to hold true, as users in EU countries can browse Threads without an Instagram account, with posting still requiring an Instagram account. Since its launch in July, Threads has seen significant improvements. These include a web experience, a follow feed, the ability to edit posts, keyword search, tagging topics, and more.
The benefits of threads for EU citizens
In the EU, users have the choice of creating a Threads profile linked to their Instagram account, giving them the same experience as other users around the world. Alternatively, they can use Threads without a profile. People using Threads without a profile can browse content, search for accounts, share content via links and report content. However, they cannot create posts or interact with content. With the launch of Threads in the EU, the platform will undoubtedly open new horizons for social interactions and discussions in Europe. And the best part: it is now accessible to everyone, without the need for an Instagram account. Enjoy your Threads experience and stay connected! If you decide to use Threads, then follow us there too – we look forward to seeing you! (Photo by Unsplash / Dave Adamson)
