Meta's Threads is now available in the EU

Threads, a short-form text platform launched by Meta, became available to users in the European Union. This launch is expected to be a blow to its rival platform, X. The EU launch was teased earlier in the week with a countdown timer on the site. Threads has been eagerly anticipated by European users, some of whom have expressed excitement for the availability of its rival, X. Meta leaders delayed the launch in Europe to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Despite the delay, Threads has already reached around 100 million monthly active users as of October. This growth can be attributed, in part, to frustrated X users seeking alternative platforms due to controversial decision-making by owner Elon Musk. Threads positions itself as a more friendly and less divisive community, although some users have requested improvements in finding news and communities of interest. The availability of Threads to millions more users could pose a challenge to Twitter, which is already facing an advertiser exodus and concerns over hate speech and Musk's promotion of fringe ideologies. Mark Zuckerberg announced the EU launch on Threads and expressed a goal of growing the platform to over 1 billion users worldwide. Despite initial excitement, engagement on Threads declined due to complaints about its limited features. However, the EU launch demonstrates Meta's ongoing efforts to build and expand the app, steadily growing its daily user base. Threads has added features such as a desktop version, a following feed, and topic tags for easier content discovery. Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, who oversees Threads, plans to extend fact-checking on the platform in the new year.