Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has unveiled a new app called Threads, which aims to rival Twitter. The Threads app is a text-based version of Meta’s photo-sharing app Instagram. It is offering real-time updates and public conversations. Threads went live in Apple and Google Android app stores in over 100 countries, including India, US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan.
According to screenshots provided to the media, Threads provides a microblogging experience similar to Twitter, with features such as liking, reposting, replying, and quoting threads. Posts on Threads are limited to 500 characters, surpassing Twitter’s 280-character limit. A post on threads can include links, photos, and videos up to five minutes long. Existing Instagram users can log in with their usernames and follow the same accounts on Threads. But the new users will need to set up an Instagram account.
Mark Zuckerberg announces arrival of Threads app
— Mark Zuckerberg (@finkd) July 6, 2023
Meta has emphasized safety measures, including enforcing Instagram’s community guidelines and providing tools to control mentions and replies. However, the app’s data privacy disclosure on the App Store has raised concerns. The disclosure states that Threads could collect various personal information, including health, financial, contacts, browsing and search history, location data, purchases, and “sensitive info.” Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey pointed out these privacy concerns in a tweet, and Elon Musk responded in agreement.
While Meta’s launch of Threads is a direct challenge to Twitter, analysts believe its success is not guaranteed, considering Meta’s history of starting standalone apps that were later shut down. Moreover, Meta has been focusing heavily on the metaverse concept, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg investing billions of dollars in virtual reality. Some analysts suggest that Meta might be spreading itself too thin by introducing Threads amidst competition from other Twitter alternatives.
Elon Musk Reacts to Launch of twitter:
😂
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2023
For Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter last year, Threads could present a new challenge. He has faced backlash for making changes to the platform. Twitter continues to be widely used for keeping up with news and world events. It serves as a real-time platform where users can follow accounts of news organizations, journalists, and other individuals to receive updates and insights. Twitter’s format, with its short and concise messages, allows for quick access to information and facilitates discussions.
