In a recent development, Meta’s soon-to-be-launched app, Threads, has come under scrutiny due to potential privacy concerns. The mandatory disclosures required on iOS have revealed that the app may gather highly sensitive user information, including health and financial data, precise location, browsing history, contacts, search history, and other personal details.
Given that Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook and the developer behind Threads, generates its revenue by tracking and profiling internet users for targeted advertising, these revelations do not come as a surprise. However, they do raise significant questions about the app’s compatibility with the European Union’s data protection regulations. It should be noted that Meta’s previous legal basis for processing personal data, specifically Facebook users’ data, was deemed unlawful.
According to current EU legislation, the processing of sensitive information, such as health data, requires an even higher standard of explicit consent to ensure compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation. Therefore, Meta would need to obtain specific permission from users for processing sensitive data like health-related information.
The situation is clear: Threads will not be launching in the European Union anytime soon, and it might never do so unless Meta undergoes a substantial reform in its approach to user tracking and choice. In fact, reports indicate that Meta’s lead regional data protection supervisor, the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), has been in contact with the company regarding Threads and has stated that the app will not be launched “at this point”.
These developments shed light on the importance of privacy and user consent in the digital age. With Threads raising concerns about data collection practices, it becomes crucial for tech companies to prioritize user choice and transparency. The EU’s stringent data protection regulations serve as a reminder that safeguarding sensitive information is paramount, and companies must adhere to these regulations to gain user trust.
As the future unfolds, it remains to be seen how Meta will address the privacy concerns surrounding Threads and whether the app will eventually make its way to the European market.
