Meta's Twitter-Rival Threads App is rumoured to be delaying its launch in the EU

Because of legal concerns, Facebook owner Meta's new Threads programme, designed to compete with Twitter, will not be available in the European Union when it opens on Thursday, according to a source close to the firm.

The software is seen as Twitter's most significant challenge since Elon Musk's takeover of the social media network, which is extremely popular among politicians and celebrities.

According to a source close to Meta, the software giant is delaying the release of Threads in the EU's 27 member nations as it seeks clarity on the bloc's Digital Markets Act, which goes into effect next year.

The DMA is a major regulation that establishes tight guidelines for Europe's largest internet businesses.

One of these rules forbids platforms from exchanging data between services. It also limits corporations' ability to drive platform users to their own items.

Threads' description in US app stores said that a user's personal data, including contact and geolocation information, will be collected and utilised for advertising reasons.

Meta has previously violated EU regulations by attempting to utilise WhatsApp data to improve Instagram and Facebook, something European regulators have prohibited.

According to a spokeswoman for Ireland's Data Protection Commission, Meta confirmed to the Irish Independent that the app will not be released in Europe "at this time."

Meta's EU headquarters are in Ireland, and the national regulator is in control of the company's European operations.

Meta did not respond immediately when contacted by AFP. 

Meta was one of seven businesses, including Amazon and Apple, that notified the EU on Tuesday that they met the threshold to be subject to the new restrictions when they take effect next year.