Meta's Threads social platform launches in Europe on December 14

Meta's Threads social platform, a Twitter-like service that allows users to share private content with close friends, is launching in Europe on December 14. The platform was initially launched in the United States and United Kingdom in July 2023, but its European rollout was delayed due to regulatory uncertainty surrounding the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The launch date was revealed by a countdown timer on the Threads website and a digital invitation within the Instagram app. Meta has not yet made an official announcement, but the countdown timer is set to end on December 14 at 12:00 AM CET.

Threads is a private messaging app that allows users to share photos, videos, and text with up to 30 close friends. The app also includes features such as Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, and Threads Live, which allows users to stream live video to their close friends.

Meta is hoping that Threads will be a success in Europe, where the company has struggled to compete with local rivals such as TikTok and Snapchat. The platform's launch in Europe comes as Meta faces increasing regulatory scrutiny from governments around the world.