Meta’s newly launched Threads app has seen an impressive start, with 10 million users signing up within the first seven hours, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The app, positioned as a “friendly” rival to Twitter, aims to attract users who are dissatisfied with recent changes on the Twitter platform since it was acquired by Elon Musk. Threads allows users to post up to 500 characters and offers features similar to Twitter.
Zuckerberg emphasized the importance of maintaining a friendly environment on the platform, stating that it would be the key to its success. However, Musk responded by highlighting the false happiness of Instagram and the preference for being attacked by strangers on Twitter.
Experts speculate that Threads could pose a significant challenge to Twitter, especially considering its rapid user adoption. While Twitter has had the opportunity to create a platform with over a billion users, it has not yet achieved this goal. Zuckerberg expressed his hope that Threads would succeed where Twitter fell short.
Nevertheless, competitors have raised concerns about the potential data usage of the app. The Apple App Store suggests that Threads may collect various data, including health, financial, and browsing information linked to users’ identities. Some users have also voiced concerns about the inability to delete their Threads profile without deleting their associated Instagram profile. Meta acknowledged this issue and stated that they are working on a solution, but in the meantime, users can deactivate their Threads profile without affecting their Instagram account.
Threads is currently available for download in over 100 countries, excluding the EU due to regulatory concerns. Meta referred to the app as an “initial version” with plans for additional features, including the ability to interact with users on other social media platforms like Mastodon.
The launch of Threads follows criticism of Meta’s business practices, with whistleblower Frances Haugen accusing the company of prioritizing profits over safety. Meta has also faced controversies related to privacy breaches, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Musk sarcastically praised the saner management of Meta in reference to its troubled history.
Threads has an advantage over other Twitter alternatives due to its integration with Instagram and its massive user base. Posts can be shared between Threads and Instagram, and users can customize their profile specifically for Threads. The app allows users to follow the same accounts they do on Instagram and offers privacy options.
Despite its connection to Instagram, Threads has been compared to Twitter, leading some investors to speculate that it could be a “Twitter killer.” While Meta emphasizes the ties to Instagram, media coverage has predominantly focused on its similarity to Twitter.
In recent developments, Musk has restricted the number of tweets users can see on Twitter per day as part of his efforts to promote Twitter Blue, the platform’s subscription service. Twitter has also announced that its user dashboard, TweetDeck, will become a paid service in the near future.
With the impressive initial response to Threads, it remains to be seen how the platform will evolve and if it can truly challenge Twitter’s dominance in the social media landscape.