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We’re Fine Without Facebook, German and French Ministers Say

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, left, and French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire during a news conference in Paris on Feb. 7. — German Economy Minister Robert Habeck, left, and French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire during a news conference in Paris on Feb. 7.
Photographer: Eric Piermont/AFP/Getty Images

By

William Horobin and

Zoe Schneeweiss

February 7, 2022, 4:58 PM UTC

Meta Platforms Inc.’s veiled threat to quit Europe because of blocked talks over privacy rules was more like music to the ears of two top German and French politicians.

“After being hacked I’ve lived without Facebook and Twitter for four years and life has been fantastic,” German Economy Minister Robert Habeck told reporters at an event alongside French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire in Paris on Monday.