This week, Facebook’s parent company Meta issued a stunning warning that it may have to withdraw its services from Europe if strong data transfer rules aren’t established soon.

The root of this issue is the fact that many European countries have strict privacy laws that protect the data of users and prevent it from being transferred to the U.S. Of course, that’s a huge problem for Facebook, which relies completely on user data to make its revenue. Still, these data transfers have been allowed to continue while a new agreement was determined. However, that temporary solution is now also in jeopardy — meaning that Facebook’s future in Europe is, too.

“We have absolutely no desire and no plans to withdraw from Europe, but the simple reality is 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 said in a statement.

However, some European lawmakers are fed up with the company’s threats and seem determined to call its bluff.

“Meta cannot just blackmail the EU into giving up its data protection standards,” European lawmaker Axel Voss said, noting that “leaving the EU would be their loss.”

It seems improbable that Facebook would withdraw from an entire continent. However, because user data is the lifeblood of the company, such a dramatic action can’t be entirely ruled out.

Recommended Resources

The Choice of Tech Experts Worldwide. Try 90 days free of Bitdefender and experience the highest level of digital safety.

Surf the web truly incognito. Try Bitdefender Premium VPN, the ultra-fast VPN that keeps your online identity and activities safe from hackers, ISPs and snoops.

System Mechanic 14 – Make your computer run like new. Winner of 200+ Editor’s Choice awards!