Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, launched a new social media app called Threads, which aims to challenge Twitter’s dominance in the microblogging space. Threads is a text-based conversation app that allows users to post short messages, photos, and videos, and interact with others in real-time. The app is linked to Instagram, and users can sign in with their Instagram credentials and keep their username, followers, and verification status.
Threads was released on Wednesday in more than 100 countries, and according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the app passed 2 million signups in its first two hours. He later announced that the app had reached 10 million signups in seven hours. The app has been reportedly in the works since January, but its launch coincides with a turbulent time for Twitter, which has faced criticism from users, advertisers, and investors over its recent changes and controversies.
Some of the features that Threads offers include:
- The ability to publish posts or “Threads” that are up to 500 characters long, with links, photos, or videos up to 5 minutes long.
- The ability to choose who can see your Threads, whether it’s the whole world or your followers only.
- The ability to filter specific words from your feed and restrict who can mention you.
- The ability to easily share a Thread post to your Instagram story, or share your post as a link on any other platform you choose.
- The ability to unfollow, report, block, or restrict a profile. Anyone you’ve blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads.
Threads also has some drawbacks that users should be aware of before signing up:
- You must have or sign up for an Instagram account to join Threads, as the platform uses your the same Instagram login credentials to sign in.
- You cannot delete your Threads account without deleting your Instagram account as well. This means that if you decide to quit Threads, you will also lose access to your Instagram profile and content.
- You do not have full control over your data and privacy on Threads, as Meta collects information about your activity and preferences on both apps. Meta says it uses this data to improve its services and show you relevant ads.
Threads has already attracted some backlash from Twitter, which is considering legal action against Meta over its fast-growing rival app. Twitter claims that Threads is infringing on its patents and copying its features. Former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey also criticized Threads for lacking originality and innovation in its design. He tweeted: “We wanted flying cars, instead we got 7 Twitter clones.” Tesla CEO Elon Musk agreed with him in a reply.
Dorsey also expressed his concerns about the amount and type of sensitive personal data that Threads collects from its users, such as their location, health, financial, and browsing information. He tweeted that Meta uses its algorithms to manipulate information and create a “social media monopoly” based on its extensive data collection practices.
It remains to be seen whether Threads will be able to sustain its initial momentum and popularity, or whether it will fade away like some of Meta’s previous attempts at creating new social media apps. For now, users who are looking for an alternative to Twitter may want to give Threads a try and see for themselves what it has to offer.
