Meta takes aim at Twitter with the launch of rival app Threads

Meta has entered the fray against Twitter by introducing its competitor app, Threads, which aims to offer a text-based alternative to Meta’s popular photo-sharing app, Instagram. According to the company, Threads provides a separate space for real-time updates and public conversations. The app was launched recently on Apple and Google Android app stores and quickly gained traction, with 10 million sign-ups within the first seven hours, although some initial glitches were reported in certain regions. Threads has been rolled out in over 100 countries, attracting high-profile users and media outlets. The microblogging experience of Threads suggests that Meta Platforms is directly challenging Twitter, especially after the platform’s ownership by Elon Musk led to unpopular changes and a decline in user and advertiser satisfaction. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, aims to create a friendly environment on Threads, differentiating it from Twitter’s shortcomings. The app allows users to like, repost, reply to, or quote a thread, and posts can include links, photos, and videos up to five minutes long. While Meta’s vision is focused on text and dialogue, it ensures users’ safety by enforcing community guidelines and providing tools for controlling interactions. However, data privacy concerns have been raised as Threads collects various personal information, prompting Twitter’s co-founder, Jack Dorsey, to criticize the app. Despite its ambitions, Threads won’t be available in the European Union due to strict data privacy regulations. Meta is considering expanding the app to more countries but faces uncertainty regarding its success and the company’s recent layoffs amid the tech industry slowdown. Additionally, Zuckerberg has been investing in the metaverse and risking overextension for Meta. Threads presents a new challenge for Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter last year but faced backlash for changes he implemented. The rivalry between Musk and Zuckerberg has escalated, leading to discussions of a potential face-off between the two tech billionaires. Musk expressed his preference for Twitter over Instagram, highlighting the ongoing competition.

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• Data Privacy Disclosure
• European Union Data Privacy Rules