If you’re a fan of Instagram, you might have heard of Threads, a spin-off app that lets you share photos, videos, and messages with your close friends. Sounds harmless, right? Well, not according to the EU, which has banned the app from operating in its territory. Why? Because Threads is a privacy nightmare.
Basically, Threads works by accessing your phone’s camera, microphone, location, battery level, movement, network connection, and more. It uses this data to create “status” updates for your friends, such as “on the move”, “low battery” or “at home”. It also lets you send “auto” messages based on your activity, such as “I’m bored” or “I’m hungry”. Basically, Threads knows everything about you and tells your friends.
The EU is not happy with this level of data collection and sharing. It argues that Threads violates the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is a set of rules that protect the personal data of EU citizens. The GDPR requires that apps obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and processing their data and that they provide clear and transparent information about how they use it. The GDPR also gives users the right to access, delete or correct their data, and to object to or restrict its use.
Threads does not comply with these requirements. It does not ask for consent before accessing your phone’s sensors and data. It does not explain how it uses your data or who it shares it with. It does not let you access, delete or correct your data or opt out of its features. It also does not guarantee that your data is secure or that it respects your privacy preferences.
The EU has therefore decided to ban Threads from operating in its territory until it complies with the GDPR. This means that if you live in the EU or visit it, you won’t be able to download or use the app. You also won’t be able to see the status or messages of your friends who use Threads outside the EU. The EU hopes that this will send a strong message to Instagram and other apps that they need to respect the data rights of their users.
Threads is not the first app to face the wrath of the EU. In recent years, the EU has fined Google, Facebook, Amazon, and others for violating the GDPR or other antitrust laws. The EU is determined to protect its citizens from the dangers of big tech and to promote fair competition and innovation in the digital market.
So what can you do if you want to stay in touch with your close friends without giving up your privacy? Well, you can always use other apps that are more respectful of your data, such as Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp (although WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, so be careful). Or you can go old-school and call them, text them, or meet them in person (if it’s safe to do so). Or you can just enjoy some quality time alone without feeling the need to share every moment of your life with others. The choice is yours.
