(ZENIT News / Brussels, 02.10.2025).- In an era where technology is reshaping how people connect with their faith, a battle is brewing in the European Union that could determine the future of religious expression in the digital world. Hallow, the world’s leading prayer app, is facing potential expulsion from the EU market, sparking a debate about the fine line between regulation and religious freedom.

The app, which has already been banned in China, is now at risk of being shut down in Europe due to what its founder, Alex Jones, describes as an overwhelming regulatory burden. While the specifics remain unclear, the situation raises fundamental questions: Is the EU enforcing fair digital policies, or is it unintentionally—or deliberately—stifling faith-based platforms?

Hallow has grown rapidly, offering millions of users a space for prayer, meditation, and spiritual guidance. Unlike social media platforms that dominate the digital landscape, Hallow’s focus is deeply personal—it provides people with a way to nurture their faith through technology. Yet, despite its success, the app is now facing significant challenges in Europe, a region that prides itself on diversity and freedom of expression.

Jones recently expressed his frustration on social media, pointing out that Hallow had been preparing to expand its reach across Europe, developing content in multiple languages, including Polish, French, German, and Italian. However, he warned that if the regulatory pressure continued, such plans would become “virtually impossible.”

Though no official statement has confirmed the exact reasons behind the app’s predicament, many believe that the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) is at the heart of the issue. This sweeping legislation, introduced in early 2023, requires digital platforms to disclose detailed reports on user activity, data management, and content moderation practices.

At first glance, such measures may seem reasonable in an age of increasing concerns over privacy and misinformation. However, faith-based apps like Hallow face an additional challenge: religious data is often classified as highly sensitive, meaning compliance with these regulations could be even more complex and demanding. The unintended consequence? A playing field where religious platforms struggle to survive under the weight of bureaucratic red tape.

Legal experts are beginning to take notice. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International, a group dedicated to defending fundamental human rights—including religious freedom—has already reached out to Jones, offering to examine the case. This raises the possibility of a legal battle that could set a crucial precedent for how faith-based organizations navigate digital regulations.

The case extends beyond Hallow. If a prayer app can be pushed out of the market due to excessive regulatory demands, what does this mean for churches, religious charities, or faith-driven initiatives relying on digital platforms? Will Europe’s commitment to religious freedom hold strong in the face of its evolving digital landscape, or will faith be yet another casualty of overregulation?

At its core, this is not just about one app. It is about the role of faith in the modern world and whether governments, in their quest to regulate the digital space, are unintentionally restricting religious practice. Hallow’s uncertain fate is a warning sign of what could come next: a future where technology is not a bridge to spiritual growth, but a battleground where faith must fight for its place online.

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