Posted on 02/09/2022 9:28:02 AM PST by Red Badger
Meta suggests it may have to shut down Facebook and Instagram in the European Union (EU) if it’s no longer able to transfer data across the Atlantic between Europe and the US. While the suggestion appears to just be posturing, some top politicians in Europe seem almost hilariously unphased by the proposition.
Meta’s suggestion was quietly mentioned in the company’s annual report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission last week. The remarks regard new EU legalization currently being drawn up that would require data processing service providers to set up safeguards against illegal data transfers to non-EU governments.
“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,” the reports reads. It adds that this would significantly impact their business and finances.
In July 2020, Europe's top court struck down the transatlantic data transfer deal known as the Privacy Shield. The EU and the US have been looking to reach a new accord, but no solid agreement has yet been found. To put it simply: the US is very keen to freely trade data with the EU, but the EU wants to be tough on data security.
In a statement given to CNBC, a Meta spokesperson said the company has no desire or immediate plans to withdraw any services from Europe. However, they added that “Meta, and many other businesses, organizations and services, rely on data transfers between the EU and the US in order to operate global services.”
Meta has had some tension with the EU before over the issue of data protection. In 2020, an EU privacy regulator sent the company (then known only as Facebook) a preliminary order to suspend data transfers to the US about its EU users. Friction was caused, but Facebook continued to operate in the EU.
I have always called for an alternative to the EU US #privacyshield to find a balanced agreement on data exchange + always called for #GDPR flexibility. However, #META cannot just blackmail the EU into giving up its data protection standards, leaving the EU would be their loss.
— Axel Voss MdEP (@AxelVossMdEP) February 7, 2022 Across the Atlantic in Europe, politicians don’t appear to be backing down, nor seem too worried about any indications that Meta may pull out of the EU in the future.
“Meta cannot just blackmail the EU into giving up its data protection standards, leaving the EU would be their loss,” tweeted Axel Voss, German lawyer and a member of the European Parliament.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck went further with his criticism, telling reporters at an event in Paris on Monday: “After being hacked I’ve lived without Facebook and Twitter for four years and life has been fantastic,” according to Bloomberg.
“[The EU] is such a big internal market with so much economic power that if we act in unity we won’t be intimidated by something like this,” continued Habeck.
“I can confirm that life is very good without Facebook and that we would live very well without Facebook,” added French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire. “Digital giants must understand that the European continent will resist and affirm its sovereignty.”
“..How does one know when the clock is correct if that’s the only one?...”
One doesn’t. That’s the irony of it...LOL
EUROPE could not be more fortunate if that occurs.
I can confirm that life is very good without Facebook
Zing pow bam suck it.
I ditched it in 2017..................don’t miss it at all.............
Smart move
It developed into a monster the last 2 years of Trump's term. I was 'suspended' a number of times in the last 18 months. Pro Trump posts were pulled arbitrarily. One time they even suspended me for a post that was six years old! Then they started effing with exposure. I had over 5K 'friends' at one point and I utilized the platform with pro-Trump messages and videos etc. All of a sudden, the 'likes' dwindled down to maybe 10. Other users that I followed were no longer easy to find.
Anyway, I got out last January. Permanently deleted my account on FB and Twitter. It's a shame really, because those platforms, at one time, were all about free speech.
FB will dwindle down into a new version of MySpace........................
Death to Facebook. This would be a good start.
I’ve heard that facebook marketplace is replacing a lot of biz that previously went through craigslist.
It may go, but via VPN use...you could sit in Germany and log on still. Both the EU and Germans think you can cancel it out.
One odd factor, around Germany....there’s probably 500 individuals/influencers on Instagram....who have a significant income (minimum of 5k Euro a month....some on up to 100k Euro a month). They won’t accept the destruction of their ‘careers’.
Sure hope so
“safeguards against illegal data transfers to non-EU governments”
The US government needs the help of Facebook. This is a matter of US national security.
FB admitted they just passed peak growth. Now, it’s monthly attrition. The same happened to MySpace.
Close it here …. Please!
Nothing that enters the Internet should be considered secure.
One out of every 20 foreign-born Chinese persons working in the technology sector probably work for the Chinese government too.
One out of every 200 US-born Chinese persons working in the technology sector probably work for the Chinese government too.
And there always the $$$$$$$ opportunity Beijing can easily afford to offer.
Most foreign-born technology workers would be happy to be a well-paid CEO.
Corrupt Democrat facebook scum.
I like the part about the European continent having sovereignty
For 10 Euros a month a wide variety of information sources and services could be provided to EU customers.
If the smart ad market is outlawed by the EU, then alternatives must be utilized.
YES! I knew the goddamn GDPR would be good for SOMETHING. Stomping a mudhole in Meta is better than imagined.
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