EU Launch on December 14 Teased by Threads Countdown

After a lot of waiting and speculation, Threads is finally making its way to Europe. Meta’s social media app is set to launch in the EU on December 14, just in time for sharing those holiday dinner pics or whatever else you fancy. While there’s been no official announcement from Zuck and the crew, EU users can spot a countdown timer on Instagram teasing the impending release of this Twitter-like platform.

The timer can also be found on the Threads website, but only for those accessing it from EU-based IP addresses, as per The Verge. European Instagrammers can simply search for “ticket” to uncover a scannable QR code heralding the app’s arrival. The only mystery left is which EU countries will gain access on December 14. Stay tuned as Engadget has reached out to Meta for more info.

So, what took Threads so long to hit Europe? Meta hit a snag with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), causing delays in complying with stricter rules around user consent and data protection for platform gatekeepers like itself. While it seems like everything’s sorted now for the release, it’s anyone’s guess if the app itself will see changes to adhere to the new regulations. Watch this space for updates next week.

Threads has had its share of ups and downs since its much-hyped launch amidst the chaos of X. User engagement took a nosedive once folks realized there wasn’t much to do on the platform. But credit where it’s due, Meta has been quick to roll out new features and tools. Recent upgrades include searchable topics (aka hashtags) and an edit button that won’t break the bank at $8 per month. Here’s hoping these improvements will keep users hooked in the long run.