Instagram Threads, an upcoming competitor to Twitter from Meta, was set to launch on July 6th, 2023, but it looks like the social media giant won't be releasing the new product in the European Union anytime soon. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) has been in contact with Meta about the product, and the Irish Independent reports that it won't be available in the E.U. "at this point." Threads is marketed as a text-based conversation app that allows Instagram users to stay in touch with one another and follow the same accounts they already follow on Instagram. The app has already been listed in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, although it's yet to be available for download. The "App Privacy" section on the App Store reveals that the application is expected to collect a wide range of user data, including Health and Fitness, Purchases, Financial Info, Location, Contact Info, Contacts, User Content, Search History, Browsing History, Identifiers, Usage Data, Sensitive Info, and Diagnostics. While the DPC hasn't actively blocked Threads from being launched, Meta is taking a cautious approach and delaying the release in the region, due to its stringent privacy protections. In a similar situation, Google postponed the launch of its artificial intelligence chatbot Bard in the E.U. due to privacy concerns. It's clear that the E.U. is taking privacy issues seriously, and that companies need to be aware of these regulations when launching new products. While it's disappointing for fans of Instagram Threads, this decision is a step in the right direction for protecting user data and privacy. As the technology industry continues to grow, it's important that companies remain aware of the privacy regulations and laws in place to protect users.