x

Facebook, Instagram could leave Europe for good over GDPR rules

By Becky Adi

Facebook parent Meta has once again threatened to leave the European market if it cannot secure an ongoing deal to exempt it from some aspects of the EU’s GDPR regulations.

Meta made the claims in its annual letter to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), outlining the ongoing dispute between the company and various European regulators over the transfer of user data to and from Europe. (Meta is, of course, based in the US.)

“If a new transatlantic data transfer framework is not adopted and we are unable to continue to rely on SCCs or rely upon other alternative means of data transfers from Europe to the United States, we will likely be unable to offer a number of our most significant products and services, including Facebook and Instagram, in Europe, which would materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations,” the company said.

Speaking to City AM, Meta’s Nick Clegg confirmed the thinking, arguing that “a lack of safe, secure and legal international data transfers would damage the economy and hamper the growth of data-driven businesses in the EU, just as we seek a recovery from Covid-19.”

This isn’t the first time Meta (or Facebook as it was known then) has made this threat. Back in 2020, the company made similar claims when it seems that the Irish data regulator would ban transatlantic data flows.

“In the event that were subject to a complete suspension of the transfer of users’ data to the US,” Facebook lawyer Yvonne Cunnane argued, “it is not clear … how, in those circumstances, it could continue to provide the Facebook and Instagram services in the EU.”

Leaving Europe, as Meta says, would do huge damage to its business and would likely be a last resort for the company. Speaking to City AM, Meta said that it has “absolutely no desire and no plans to withdraw from Europe, but the simple reality is that Meta, and many other businesses, organisations and services, rely on data transfers between the EU and the US in order to operate global services.”

As you can imagine, European lawmakers were not impressed, which might be a little harsh given that Meta told the SEC as part of its overall fiduciary duties.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Digital Transformation:Uyo to host Social Media Week as COOPA marks 10 years

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom,...

Constitution Review: Gender Bills Urgent, Pragmatic, Speaker Abbas Tells Stakeholders

By Oladosu Adebola Oluwaseun The Speaker of the House...

Setting the Record Straight on Nigerian workers in Central Africa Republic

PRESS RELEASE In a recent viral video, six Nigerians in...

Fulani terrorist leader ”Ɗari biyar ta fi Bahaushe” neutralized – Security sources

…Masterminder of murder of over 300 innocent souls, while...

Bayelsa U15 Athletics Meet Showcases Rising Stars for National Youth Games

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa   Over 200 young athletes from across Bayelsa...

Diri Calls for Tech-Driven Education, Pledges Housing for UniPort Staff

Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa   Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has...

Outcry as woman buried with 8 months pregnancy in Kaduna

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Barely one week later, tongues are...

Senate approved $21.8bn loan: Mortgaging Nigeria’s future for its present

By Patrick Wemambu Variously described as ludicrous, escalating and unsustainable,...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img