META Meta Platforms Inc

   By Mauro Orru 
 

Meta Platforms rolled out Threads in Europe, months after the Facebook and Instagram parent launched the microblogging app in the U.S.

Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg announced the launch Thursday on Threads, writing that "we're opening Threads to more countries in Europe."

Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that Meta planned to launch Threads in Europe in December in its largest market expansion since its debut in July.

Upon its initial launch, Threads became available to most markets worldwide, but Meta had withheld launching in the European Union because of the bloc's regulations for online services, which are among the toughest in the world.

Users in the EU can choose to create a Threads profile connected to their Instagram account, or use it without a profile to search accounts, browse and share content via link copying or platform sharing, but without the ability to create a post or interact with content, Meta said in a statement.

"We're excited to see more people using Threads and will continue to listen to community feedback to further improve the experience for everyone," the company said.

Meta said it has been working on improving Threads since its launch in July, including a web version, a "following" feed, the ability to edit a post, search with keywords, and tag topics.

Zuckerberg said in October that Threads had "just under 100 million monthly active" users, adding that he thought it could reach as many as 1 billion users in a few years.

Threads' market expansion comes after several advertisers paused their ad spending on Elon Musk's X, formerly known as Twitter, after he made controversial comments from his account.

Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 14, 2023 07:26 ET (12:26 GMT)

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