Threads, a new app launched by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is generating interest as experts speculate that it could attract Twitter users who are dissatisfied with recent changes on the platform. Although the app is not currently available in the European Union, Threads allows users to post up to 500 characters and offers features similar to Twitter.
In its initial hours, Threads garnered five million sign-ups, according to Mr. Zuckerberg. He emphasized the importance of keeping the platform “friendly” for its ultimate success. However, Twitter CEO Elon Musk responded by suggesting that it is better to face criticism from strangers on Twitter than to succumb to the false happiness depicted on Instagram.
When asked whether Threads could surpass Twitter in popularity, Mr. Zuckerberg acknowledged that it would take time, but expressed his belief that a public conversations app with over one billion users should exist. He noted that Twitter had the opportunity to achieve this but had not succeeded, adding, “Hopefully, we will.”
Critics of the app have raised concerns about the amount of data it might collect. According to information on the Apple App Store, this could include users’ health, financial, and browsing data linked to their identities.
While Threads is available for download in over 100 countries, including the UK, it has not yet been released in the EU due to regulatory concerns. Meta refers to the app as an “initial version,” with plans to introduce additional features, including the ability to interact with users on other social media platforms like Mastodon.
Threads operates as a standalone app but requires users to log in using their Instagram accounts. Usernames from Instagram carry over to Threads, but there is an option to customize profiles specifically for the new app. Users can choose to follow the same accounts they do on Instagram, and they have the option to be private on Instagram while being public on Threads.
The launch of Threads follows criticism of Meta’s business practices. The company faced allegations of prioritizing profits over user safety, and its moderation practices were scrutinized. Additionally, Meta was involved in a scandal that allowed third parties, including Cambridge Analytica, to access personal data of Facebook users.
Threads holds a significant advantage due to its integration with Instagram and the existing user base of hundreds of millions. Users can share posts between Threads and Instagram, including links, photos, and videos up to five minutes in length.
While Meta emphasizes the connection to Instagram, media coverage has drawn parallels between Threads and Twitter, with some investors referring to it as a potential “Twitter killer.” Notably, Twitter CEO Elon Musk recently restricted the number of tweets users could see per day, encouraging them to subscribe to Twitter Blue, the platform’s subscription service.
Since Musk assumed a prominent presence on Twitter, many users have expressed dissatisfaction with the platform and his leadership, citing erratic behavior and controversial political views. Last month, Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg jokingly agreed to a hypothetical cage fight, and Zuckerberg’s early posts on Threads mentioned his interest in mixed martial arts.
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