A Real Social Dilemma: Meta Threatens to Shut Down Facebook and Instagram in Europe

Facebook and Instagram are part of the apps most use daily. It's so common for us to work with them that we don't even question: what if we couldn't use them?

In this slogging thread, our technology channel took the chance to discuss this issue after reading the news that Meta may be shutting down Facebook and Instagram in Europe

This Slogging thread by Sara Pinto, petar.btc, Mónica Freitas, Jack Boreham and Abeer occurred in slogging's official #technology channel, and has been edited for readability.

Sara PintoFeb 8, 2022, 12:35 PM

No Facebook or Instagram for Europe?

https://www.euronews.com/next/2022/02/07/meta-threatens-to-shut-down-facebook-and-instagram-in-europe-over-data-transfer-issues

Sara PintoFeb 8, 2022, 12:41 PM

Meta says that Facebook and Instagram may be shutting down in Europe. It all comes down to data regulations, and Meta has said that "if no new framework is adopted and the company could no longer use the current model of agreements it would probably have to walk away from the continent"

The company believes they will be able to create a new agreement this year. However, if this is not reached, Meta has said "We will likely be unable to offer a number of our most significant products and services, including Facebook and Instagram, in Europe".

Full quote:

"If we are unable to transfer data between and among countries and regions in which we operate, or if we are restricted from sharing data among our products and services, it could affect our ability to provide our services, the manner in which we provide our services or our ability to target ads," the statement read.

Meta clarified that it thinks it will be able to reach a new agreement this year but if it does not, it stated: 'We will likely be unable to offer a number of our most significant products and services, including Facebook and Instagram, in Europe'."

Sara PintoFeb 8, 2022, 12:43 PM

Mónica Freitas Jack Boreham Abeer Limarc Ambalina What's your opinion on this? How damaging do you think it would be for the company? What about the european users?

petar.btcFeb 8, 2022, 1:10 PM

I'd be very happy if Facebook and Instagram are no longer available in Europe. I live here and I rarely use them anyway.

However, Zuck is just threatening and I bet he won't ever shut down operations in EU. Imagine the enormous amounts of user data Meta will lose access to which will result in billions of $$$ lost from ad revenue.

Shutting down operations in Europe equals business suicide for Meta.

Mónica FreitasFeb 8, 2022, 1:21 PM

Sara Pinto Oof, a lot of the marketing is done using social platforms like Facebook and Insta, so that would be a big smack for many brands. Besides, such a big chunk of users come from Europe, the company would lose millions. Thus, I think he'll find a way to keep it operational in Europe - it'd be a big loss otherwise.

Sara PintoFeb 9, 2022, 3:15 PM

petar.btc I agree. It's a long shot that this service will end in Europe. Meta has said they will try to reach an agreement this year, and I think they're going to work it out. But if it were to happen, the impact would be enormous. Let's not forget that Europe is a continent with a lot of countries. The monetary loss would be crucial, as you said. Plus, not everyone uses these social media for entertainment. Many use them for business. It's a great way to reach people. It would be a big disadvantage to them. Do you think that some European companies would quickly create new apps to replace these?

Sara PintoFeb 9, 2022, 3:18 PM

Mónica Freitas Exactly. It would be the best move. I think we would quickly overcome it, while they can't give up the European market like this. But in case this was to happen, do you think in a way would be beneficial? We all know how addictive these apps can be

Jack BorehamFeb 10, 2022, 11:40 AM

I would be happy as well. It's just such a toxic platform

Mónica FreitasFeb 10, 2022, 11:49 AM

Sara Pinto in the strange case of this actually happening, I guess other platforms would appear to replace insta and face. This could be a big change for new brands and other ways to do business... I guess we'll have to way for the outcome.

Sara PintoFeb 11, 2022, 9:54 AM

Jack Boreham Do you think that a European company would quickly create new apps that similar to these?

Sara PintoFeb 11, 2022, 9:58 AM

Mónica Freitas I agree. Maybe at first, it would be a weird situation, but we would quickly overcome it

Mónica FreitasFeb 12, 2022, 11:59 AM

Sara Pinto yeah, we're used to jumping to the next new thing, so it'd be just a matter of time.

AbeerFeb 13, 2022, 5:38 AM

Sara Pinto I highly doubt they’ll go through with it. There’s too much money they’d be leaving on the table. But man, between this and the iOS privacy update, it’s not a good year for Meta