Threads users in Türkiye are facing a change in their access to Meta’s popular social media platform.

Threads, a platform known for its focus on ephemeral content, is set to disappear from the country on April 29th.

But why has Twitter’s biggest rival decided to shut down its services in Türkiye? Let us explain.

Why is Threads closing its services in Türkiye?

This unexpected closure stems from a dispute between Meta, the owner of Threads, and the Turkish Competition Authority (TCA) regarding user data sharing practices.

The TCA raised concerns about how user data is transferred between Threads and Instagram, another platform under Meta’s umbrella. The issue lies in user consent – the TCA believes Meta isn’t providing users in Türkiye with a clear choice on whether their data can be shared across these platforms.

Meta has announced this decision with the following words in an announcement on the official Threads blog:

To comply with an interim order of the Rekabet Kurumu/Turkish Competition Authority (TCA), we will shut down Threads in Türkiye from Monday 29 April. We know this will be very disappointing for the many people in Türkiye who engage on Threads with their community. We are taking steps to minimise any disruption as much as possible, including:

• Everyone using Threads in Türkiye will be notified of this decision within the Threads app before 29 April.
• People using Threads in Türkiye can choose whether to deactivate but not delete their Threads profile, or to delete their profile.
• If a person chooses to deactivate their profile, then users’ posts and interactions with other people’s posts will become visible again if Threads returns to Türkiye.
• People with deactivated profiles can download their posts and preserve their existing content through our Download Your Information tool at any time.

– Meta

A history of scrutiny and frustration

This shutdown highlights a pattern of friction between Meta and Turkish authorities. The 2022 fine wasn’t enough for the TCA, who argued that a notification sent to users regarding data sharing practices lacked transparency. They saw it as an insufficient effort to address the issue.

Dominant market position and competition concerns

The TCA’s actions also address the broader issue of market dominance. With a vast user base, Meta holds a significant position in the social media landscape of Türkiye. The TCA argues that by forcing users to create an Instagram account to utilize Threads, Meta is hindering competition in the market. This creates a barrier for other platforms offering similar services.

Users face a choice and an uncertain future

With the closure date looming, Meta is contesting the TCA’s decision through an appeal. However, in the immediate future, Threads will be unavailable in Türkiye. Users will be notified about the closure and given the option to either delete their profile or choose a temporary deactivation. The latter option allows users to potentially reactivate their profile if Threads returns to the country.

Will Threads return?

The fate of Threads in Türkiye hinges on the legal battle between Meta and the TCA. Meta expresses hope for a speedy resolution and a relaunch, but the path forward remains unclear.

This situation serves as a reminder of the evolving relationship between social media platforms and government regulations regarding user data and fair competition.

Featured image credit: Dave Adamson/Unsplash