Facebook and Instagram: leaving Europe?

 In the last few days, I came accross a few articles on news outlets that Meta (ex-Facebook) was warning that it could shut down it services for Facebook and Instagram itself, however many European leaders said that life would be very good without it. (click the lick and read the latest article) Throughout the base of people I follow on Twitter, the Europeans seemed to rejoice with the possibility of Facebook and Instagram shutting down around here, being me one of them.

What made Meta (I always type Facebook, because I forget that the company's name has changed to Meta) issue such warning were the laws in the EU that prevent companies like Meta itself and other foreign companies to transfer Europeans' data, store and process it in the USA. Of course that we, Europeans, are happy that the European Commission is safeguarding our data, especially with the scandal of Facebook selling data to Cambridge Analytica, which granted the company fines from countries all over the globe. Since then, the European Commission imposed the use of cookies which had to be clear and explicit about the end of which they're means. Yesterday, Meta issued a statement that they're not wanting to leave Europe, but this lifts yet another question, like ProtonMail Twitter account asked: is this Meta trying to intimidate lawmakers? As with meddling with elections, is Meta trying to meddle with law making decisions in order to seize power by grabbing people data? Because in today's world, data is the most valuable currency, if you know what I mean.

Still on the issue with Americans, but not completely related to Meta and it's threats, I have started following more pan-European accounts on Twitter and one of them makes the constant questioning related to the Ukrainian-Russian increasing tension: why does Joe Biden speaks and inflames the debate, trying to make decisions on behalf of the Europeans on something that, once again, won't affect them but us, this time directly? (I recently got a warning of Instagram about hate speech when I stated that Americans [the Government, not the people] try to meddle on foreign issues and influence what happens on other people's home.) This is one of the reasons why an European army is much needed. Ever since the submarines deal that caused tension between Americans, British and Australians towards the French, it has became noticeable that Europe cannot be dependent on foreign agents to survive: American defense, Russian energy, China manufacturers. Europe has an obligation to become self-sufficient, to reindustrialize itself and to be able to defend itself. 

Years ago, I would be against the European Federation, but now I see that this is a necessity and what makes most sense out of it all. There are many barriers to be surpassed, like the inexistence of a common minimum wage, the inexistence of common laws and a whole paraphernalia of what makes a government, but it makes sense.

It is about time to stand up to big corporations like Meta and Amazon as it is about time that we rise and stand up against the giant actors that act against us.

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