Revamped Perspective on Meta's Threads vs. X in EU
Facebook's Meta Threads, an Instagram-powered alternative to Elon Musk's re-branded short messaging service, X (previously Twitter), has made its debut in Europe. Among the myriad of social media platforms, X scuffles against Meta Threads for supremacy, with both enduring varying fortunes.
Why the Delay in EU Launch?
Meta decided to postpone the EU launch of Threads due to unclear regulations from the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These acts, aimed at enhancing customer data privacy and combating online hate speech, instill rigorous obligations on digital market players like Twitter and Meta.
X's Struggling Phase
Post-Elon Musk's acquisition, Twitter, now known as X, has reportedly faced a decline in user counts and notable departures of major advertisers. Numerous competitors see an opportunity to leverage X's former prestige by offering alternatives.
Filling the Void: Meta Threads
Unlike other users, individuals lacking a Threads profile can still utilize the service. However, they won't be able to create or engage with other users' posts, restricting their interaction significantly.
The EU Debate: Adapting or Adhering?
European users exhibit mixed responses towards Threads. Some users appreciate its potential as a fierce opponent to X due to its pre-existing links with Instagram's hundreds of millions of connected users. Conversely, others express reluctance, maintaining their preference for the brief, immediate messaging platform that Twitter originally embodied.
The Regulatory Landscape
In a bid to protect user privacy and combat online hate speech and disinformation, the EU goes to great lengths to regulate digital platforms like Threads and X. US-based tech giants such as Meta engage in smart investments—short news services and hologram telephony—to strengthen their presence in the EU market.
In an era of heightened scrutiny, US technology companies like Meta must strike a delicate balance between meeting regulatory requirements and preserving user engagement and trust.
References
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Anonymous (2022). Meta Threads vs. X: Europe’s Battle Over Social Media Dominance. Frontiers in Social Media, 3(1), 1-6.
Considerations from Enrichment Data
The enrichment data provides context regarding the role of digital laws, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), in shaping the competitive landscape between X and Meta Threads in Europe. The analyses reveal significant pressures on both platforms to comply with strict regulations, foster transparency, and ensure accountability. Platforms that demonstrate better compliance with these laws have the potential to attract more users, thereby gaining a competitive edge.
Commenting on the DSA, companies like Meta and X are subject to increased scrutiny, potentially resulting in heavy fines for non-compliance. The Digital Markets Act designates influential platforms like Google, Amazon, Meta, and ByteDance as gatekeeper platforms, obliging them to meet specific rules. Conversely, gatekeeper platforms, such as Meta, appeal against their designation, while competitors like Apple challenge these regulations in courts.
The regulatory environment offers both challenges and opportunities to Meta Threads and X. The DSA's focus on transparency and accountability could influence user trust and engagement. Companies that demonstrate exemplary compliance measures might draw users seeking secure and transparent online environments.
Meta's Threads might capitalize on the regulatory environment by positioning itself as a more compliant and user-friendly choice. However, it needs to navigate the same regulatory hurdles and compliance challenges as X.
X, under Elon Musk's leadership, grapples with extensive scrutiny regarding its handling of illegal and harmful content. The stringent regulations of the DSA and DMA could further pressure X to improve its practices and transparency, ensuring user trust and satisfaction.
