Meta Threatens to Pull Facebook, Instagram from Europe over Data Rules

In his annual report, Meta group CEO Mark Zuckerberg indicated that his main platforms Facebook and Instagram could soon leave Europe if his company does not have the ability to use data from European users on its servers from the United States. This possibility of seeing Meta’s platforms close in Europe could have consequences for European companies.

"In the worst case, this could mean that a small tech startup in Germany would no longer be able to use a US-based cloud provider. A Spanish product development company may no longer be able to operate a multi-time zone operation. A French retailer may find it can no longer maintain call centers in Morocco," argues Nick Clegg, Meta’s Vice President of Global Affairs and Communications.