Meta’s new app Threads, which aims to rival Twitter, has officially launched. The text-based app, described as the text version of Meta’s Instagram, is now available to users in over 100 countries, including the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, and Japan. Despite some initial glitches, Threads has already garnered 30 million sign-ups in its first day, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Notable users on the platform include Oprah, Shakira, and Gordon Ramsay, as well as corporate accounts from brands like Taco Bell, Netflix, and Spotify. Threads arrives as an alternative for users looking to escape Elon Musk’s control over Twitter since his acquisition of the platform. However, the app has raised concerns about data privacy and is currently not available in the European Union. Here’s everything you need to know about Threads.
To use Threads, you can download the app from the Apple or Google Android app stores if you’re in one of the 100 supported countries. The app was built by the Instagram team, so Instagram users can log into Threads using their existing account. Your username and verification status will carry over, but you’ll also have the option to customize other aspects of your profile, including whether or not you want to follow the same people on Threads as you do on Instagram. It’s important to note that deleting your Threads profile can only be done by deleting your Instagram account.
For now, only Instagram users can create Threads accounts, so if you want to access Threads, you’ll have to sign up for Instagram first. This decision by Meta has received some criticism, but experts believe that it’s a strategic move to leverage the curiosity of existing Instagram users and entice them to try Threads. The initial sign-up numbers seem to support this, with over 10 million people joining the app within the first seven hours of its launch. However, the long-term success of Threads will depend on the app’s ability to sustain user interest beyond the initial curiosity phase.
Threads offers a microblogging experience similar to Twitter, allowing users to repost, reply, and quote threads. The maximum length for a thread is 500 characters, compared to Twitter’s 280-character limit. Threads also supports links, photos, and videos up to five minutes long. Mark Zuckerberg has emphasized the importance of creating a friendly environment on Threads, noting that this is one area where Twitter has struggled in the past.
There have been reports that Twitter is considering legal action against Meta over Threads. Twitter alleges that Meta unlawfully used its trade secrets and intellectual property by hiring former Twitter employees to develop a “copycat” app. However, Meta has denied these allegations, stating that none of the Threads engineering team consists of former Twitter employees. Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, has not directly commented on the possibility of legal action but has made sarcastic remarks about the Threads launch on the platform.
Meta’s Threads app bears striking similarities to Twitter, which indicates that the company is directly challenging the social media giant. Twitter has faced criticism for its ownership changes and unpopular decisions, leading users and advertisers to seek alternatives. Threads joins a growing list of Twitter rivals, including Bluesky, Mastodon, and Spill.
Threads applies similar content moderation measures as Instagram, enforcing community guidelines and providing tools for users to control who can mention or reply to them. The app also includes content warnings for sensitive topics like conspiracy theories and misinformation.
Data privacy concerns surround Threads, as the app collects various personal information according to its data privacy disclosure on the app stores. However, the app is not currently available in the European Union, which has strict data privacy regulations. Meta has cited regulatory uncertainty as the reason for not launching Threads in the EU yet.
The future of Threads is uncertain, considering Meta’s history of launching and later shutting down standalone apps. However, industry experts believe that Threads has the potential to pose a significant challenge to Twitter and Elon Musk, especially with its combination of Twitter-style features and Instagram’s visual appeal. User feedback and the rollout of new features will play a crucial role in determining the app’s long-term success. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, acknowledged that there are still basic features missing from Threads, but reassured users that Meta is committed to improving the app over time.
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