Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced the temporary suspension of its social media platform Threads in Turkey. This decision comes in response to an interim order issued by the Turkish Competition Authority, compelling Meta to comply by shutting down Threads in the country from April 29th.
Meta Temporarily Shutdown Threads in Turkey
According to a report by Reuters, the Turkish competition authority imposed this interim measure in an attempt to hinder data sharing between Instagram and Threads platforms, citing concerns over potential abuse of Meta's dominant market position.
Meta Platforms clarified that while Threads will be suspended in Turkey, other social media services such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp will remain unaffected.
In a blog post on the Meta Newsroom, the company provided further details regarding the suspension of Threads in Turkey. Users in Turkey will be notified of this decision within the Threads app before April 29th.
Additionally, users will have the option to deactivate their Threads profile or delete it entirely. This decision follows Meta's disagreement with the interim order and their intention to appeal the Turkish Competition Authority's decision.
This photo illustration created in Washington, DC, on July 5, 2023, shows the logos for Threads, an Instagram app, and Instagram. Facebook owner Meta's new Threads app, meant to compete with Twitter, was available for pre-order on mobile app stores on iPhone and Android operating systems on July 5, 2023.
Meta Brings Virtual Reality to Classrooms
Meanwhile, Meta has recently shared plans to introduce virtual reality (VR) headsets into classrooms. The company plans to launch an educational product that will allow students as young as 13 years old to take virtual field trips and access educational apps.
The move into education comes at a time when technology in the classroom is gaining prominence, particularly due to the shift to remote learning during the pandemic.
Meta's educational VR product is expected to enable teachers to manage multiple student headsets and access educational apps seamlessly. While the company aims to boost visibility and familiarity with VR technology among younger users, there is limited research on the benefits of immersive VR in education.
"We want it to be something that makes it easier for students to learn, apply and practice new skills; feel a sense of presence with teachers and classmates; and to visit places or experience things that would otherwise be impossible," said Nick Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs.
Moreover, Meta announced on its Newsroom that it will launch a new product dedicated to education for Quest devices, similar to its Quest for Business product launched last year. This product will allow educators to access education-specific apps and manage multiple Quest devices simultaneously, aiming to enhance the learning experience for students aged 13 and above.
The name and features of the educational product will be announced in the coming months, with plans to initially make it available in Quest for Business supported markets.
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