Latest Backend Code Suggests Threads May Be Coming to EU Users Soon

Okay, there’s nothing to get enthusiastic about yet, it doesn’t really mean anything, it could possibly be nothing, etc.

But…

As you possibly can see in this screenshot, shared by app researcher Alessandro Paluzzi, Instagram *appears* to be preparing for the pending launch of Threads in Europe, which has so far proven difficult amid evolving data privacy regulations within the region.

At launch, Instagram chief Adam Mosseri explained that Threads wouldn’t be available to European users “anytime soon”, largely because of the implementation of the EU’s recent Digital Markets Act (DMA), which establishes a variety of latest requirements for big tech platforms with regard to reporting, user data controls, privacy regulations, etc.

Meta has been working to determine one of the simplest ways forward for its business in light of those updates, and it could have found a major loophole, in offering ad-free, non data-tracking versions of each Facebook and IG to EU users for a monthly subscription as an alternative.

Meta doesn’t actually need people to pay the equivalent of $US10.60 monthly to avoid ads within the region, and it won’t expect to see big takeup of the choice. But by providing such, that’ll enable the corporate to proceed tracking non-paying user data for ads, because technically they’ll now have a solution to opt-out, and keep using its apps. In the event that they pay a monthly charge as an alternative.

Perhaps that’s now provided a clearer pathway for Threads, which Mosseri said would take months of development before becoming available in Europe. Or possibly, that is just placeholder text, and Threads isn’t actually any closer to an EU launch.

It could possibly be only a note, a false alarm. Nothing to see here.

Instagram hasn’t revealed much on this front, though Mosseri did note back in September that he hoped to give you the option to announce something on this front, sometime soon.

I assume now’s a while, so…

Perhaps it’s coming, which might bring a surge of latest users into the app, and will help it regain its growth momentum.

It does feel like there’s been a gradual gathering of Threads momentum of late, as more people turn away from X, with X owner Elon Musk continuing to spark controversy together with his updates and opinions.

Perhaps now, then, is the most effective time for Threads to make its EU push.

We’ll keep you updated on any progress.