6 ms·

Don't threaten Europe with a good time. By all means, let the door hit you on the way out.

cinntaile 6y ago
In theory they should have a pretty decent bargaining position though. Imagine Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp to stop functioning by year end. I bet a lot of consumers would be pretty upset about that and I think most of them really don't care that their data is being sent to the US. I suspect they'll just bow to the EU demands though, it's probably the simplest way without burning any bridges.
- mpfundstein 6y ago
  i hobestly think most people would actually kinda like it
- HenryBemis 6y ago
  We got good alternatives for WhatsApp (Signal, Threema, Telegram). Not perfect, but fit for purpose. Instagram and FB.. plenty of boards and forums, Mastodon. For anyone who thinks that "there are no technology alternatives for XYZ" or that "tech cannot move so fast to close the XYZ gap".. see what happened in 2020 with COVID and how fast tech industry moved to cover the gaps that were newly created (or lately enhanced).
  - a1369209993 6y ago
    I think it's more: people are using WhatsApp (etc), presumably for a reason[0], and Facebook thinks (not necessarily falsely) that it can mislead those people to blame their government for 'forcing' Facebook to break the software they're using. 0: That that reason is "it's a pain in the ass to migrate to something else" rather than any actual merit of WhatsApp wouldn't make this tactic this any less effective.
- stiray 6y ago
  I beg to differ. This was huge tactical mistake that they have made. The same issue that they have is also common for google, microsoft, amazon (probably). If EU would let them off the hook based on their "threats", everyone would start doing it the same. Now FB has put themself into unique position where they have forced EU to do exactly what they dont want. Someone is very stupid in their chain of command.
- sjg007 6y ago
  Seems like a US person's post on a European page or friend would be have restrictions on the US side but on the EU side data processing could take place there.
pjc50 6y ago
Have companies ever made good on this kind of threat? Not many pulled out of China due to not liking the legal situation.

In theory they should have a pretty decent bargaining position though. Imagine Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp to stop functioning by year end. I bet a lot of consumers would be pretty upset about that and I think most of them really don't care that their data is being sent to the US. I suspect they'll just bow to the EU demands though, it's probably the simplest way without burning any bridges.

mpfundstein 6y ago
i hobestly think most people would actually kinda like it
HenryBemis 6y ago
We got good alternatives for WhatsApp (Signal, Threema, Telegram). Not perfect, but fit for purpose. Instagram and FB.. plenty of boards and forums, Mastodon. For anyone who thinks that "there are no technology alternatives for XYZ" or that "tech cannot move so fast to close the XYZ gap".. see what happened in 2020 with COVID and how fast tech industry moved to cover the gaps that were newly created (or lately enhanced).
- a1369209993 6y ago
  I think it's more: people are using WhatsApp (etc), presumably for a reason[0], and Facebook thinks (not necessarily falsely) that it can mislead those people to blame their government for 'forcing' Facebook to break the software they're using. 0: That that reason is "it's a pain in the ass to migrate to something else" rather than any actual merit of WhatsApp wouldn't make this tactic this any less effective.
stiray 6y ago
I beg to differ. This was huge tactical mistake that they have made. The same issue that they have is also common for google, microsoft, amazon (probably). If EU would let them off the hook based on their "threats", everyone would start doing it the same. Now FB has put themself into unique position where they have forced EU to do exactly what they dont want. Someone is very stupid in their chain of command.
sjg007 6y ago
Seems like a US person's post on a European page or friend would be have restrictions on the US side but on the EU side data processing could take place there.

pjc50 6y ago

Have companies ever made good on this kind of threat? Not many pulled out of China due to not liking the legal situation.