Turkey has ended its investigation into Meta Platforms’ linking of its social networking platforms Instagram and Threads, according to an official announcement on Thursday.
The probe was launched after Turkey’s competition watchdog raised concerns about potential violations of local competition laws by Meta. The tech conglomerate, which linked its popular app Instagram with a relatively newer platform Threads (launched as a rival to X, then known as Twitter), found itself in hot water over its data-sharing practices involving the two platforms.
Turkey’s Competition Board has stated that the responses and commitments presented by Meta in the investigation are sufficient, and hence it has decided to close the probe. The investigation, which was launched last year, had turned into a focal point of contention between Meta and Turkish authorities. In April, Threads was temporarily suspended in Turkey following accusations of violating antitrust laws.
Meta has laid out a series of commitments over the watchdog’s concerns regarding data sharing between the two apps. According to reports, Meta has come up with measures addressing the competition authority’s objections to data sharing. Under the changes, both current and prospective Threads users will be able to use the platform without having an Instagram profile. The app has yet to be restored in Turkey.
In May, Meta was fined $37.2 million over data-sharing practices across its social media platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp. In August, Instagram was blocked in the country for allegedly disregarding “legal rules and public sensitivities”. The app was reinstated nine days later, however. Instagram boasts over 57 million active users in Turkey, according to reports.
