Hallow, a widely-used Catholic prayer app with over 22 million downloads since its launch in 2018, is facing a potential shutdown across Europe due to stringent regulatory requirements, according to its founder.
Alex Jones, CEO of Hallow, took to social media platform X to express frustration over what he describes as "targeted" over-regulation by the European Union.
"The EU is shutting us down by over-regulation, apparently targeting any religious app, making it effectively impossible for us to operate in the EU," Jones posted.
This development comes just months after the app was removed from the App Store in China in July 2024.
"Honestly pretty heartbreaking—we were just discussing plans to expand our Polish, French, Italian, and German content and teams. If this is accurate, those efforts will be essentially impossible," Jones added.
While specific details about the EU's decision remain unclear, experts suggest the restrictions may be linked to the Digital Services Act (DSA), which came into effect in February 2023. The DSA aims to enhance transparency and accountability for digital platforms, mandating biannual public reporting of user numbers and detailed explanations of content management and data practices.
A key provision of the DSA restricts the processing of "sensitive" personal data, including information related to religious or philosophical beliefs, unless explicit user consent is provided. This regulation imposes stricter rules on religious apps concerning data privacy, content moderation, and user information disclosure.
In response to Jones' post, numerous advocates for religious freedom and free speech have voiced support. One user suggested pursuing legal action on the grounds of religious freedom, referencing the app's earlier removal in China. Additionally, the Christian legal organisation ADF International has indicated a willingness to provide support.
