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Meta is currently facing an ongoing dispute with European data regulators regarding the management of user data on Facebook and Instagram. The main concern raised by data regulators is the potential privacy violation in transferring user data between countries as both platforms are based in the US.
Today, Meta issued a subtle warning that if a consensus is not reached, Facebook and Instagram might be closed down in EU regions. They stated, “If a new transatlantic data transfer framework is not adopted and we are unable to continue using standard contractual clauses or other alternative methods for data transfers from Europe to the United States, we may not be able to offer key products and services, such as Facebook and Instagram, in Europe.”
They further mentioned that such a shutdown “would have a significant negative impact on our business, financial status, and operational outcomes.”
Facebook, Instagram could shut down in Europe without data deal, Meta warns https://t.co/AWIayuGlET pic.twitter.com/ALAI0PAmmJ
— New York Post (@nypost) February 7, 2022
In response to Meta’s announcement, European lawmaker Axel Voss stated on Twitter that “Meta cannot pressure the EU into compromising its data protection standards,” and added that “it would be their loss if they opt to leave the EU.”
Yesterday, a Meta spokesperson speaking to CNBC emphasized that the company did not wish to terminate its operations in Europe, saying, “However, the reality is that Meta, like many other businesses, organizations, and services, depend on data transfers between the EU and the U.S. to function as global services.”
