Meta’s Threads: Twitter’s new rival. Get the scoop.
Mark your calendars for Thursday! That’s when the Instagram-branded app will hit the scene, joining the crowded party of social media apps.
Get ready for some social media showdown! Instagram’s Threads, the new kid on the block, is about to make its grand entrance this week, joining the already jam-packed arena of social media apps. But here’s the twist: Threads is taking a different approach compared to its rival, Twitter. It’s going all-in on decentralization, just like cryptocurrencies.
That means no single person or organization will have complete control over it, which is exactly what Mr Musk, the Twitter owner, envisions for the platform. It’s no surprise that tech companies love to jump on the bandwagon of successful rivals, hoping to emulate their triumphs or even surpass them. So get ready to see how Threads shakes things up in the world of social media!
In March, rumours started swirling about Threads, the Instagram-branded app set to challenge Twitter. A company representative confirmed this to The National, giving the project the code name “P92”.
Interestingly, neither Instagram, Meta Platforms nor its CEO, Mr Zuckerberg, have made any official statements about Threads. Even the listing on Apple’s App Store provided minimal information. But fear not, we’ve gathered what little we know about it. Let’s dive in!
What Is Thread?
According to the description on the App Store, Threads is dubbed as “Instagram’s text-based conversation app” where users can express themselves more freely. It aims to bring communities together to discuss a wide range of topics, both current and upcoming trends. The app allows users to connect with their favourite creators, and like-minded individuals, or even build their own following to share their ideas, opinions, and creativity with the world.
Screenshots on the App Store showcase features such as finding followers, following the same accounts as on Instagram, and engaging in conversations similar to Instagram threads (hence the name “Threads”). While Meta didn’t disclose many details in the App Store listing, it’s evident that users can reply to, repost, and forward posts, reminiscent of Twitter’s functionality. Furthermore, you have control over who can respond to your posts by selecting your desired audience.
One notable advantage of Threads is that users can leverage their existing Instagram connections, eliminating the need to start from scratch and build a new community. However, it’s important to note that Threads is a standalone app separate from the main Instagram platform.
When will it be available?
Get ready for Thursday because that’s when Threads will be unleashed and ready for download. You can even pre-order it now on the App Store to secure your spot. For compatibility, Threads will be compatible with iPhones and iPod Touches running iOS 14 or later. However, it won’t be available for iPads, which isn’t surprising considering that Instagram itself isn’t on Apple’s tablets.
Initially, Threads made its debut on the US App Store, causing some speculation about its limited release. However, shortly after, it appeared in Europe, and we can confirm that it’s also available for pre-download in the UAE.
As for the exact time when the app will be available for download on Thursday, that remains unclear. So keep an eye out and be ready to get your hands on Threads as soon as it’s live!
How about Android users?
Interestingly, Threads made a brief appearance on Google Play on Sunday but has mysteriously vanished since then. As of now, it remains unavailable for download. Speculations are circulating that this may have been an accidental release, but no further information is currently available.
Unfortunately, there is no official word on when Threads will be made available for the Android operating system, which powers a significant majority of the world’s mobile phones (as of March, according to Statista). We’ll have to stay tuned for updates on when Android users can get their hands on Threads.
How will it handle my data?
As indicated in its App Store profile, Threads has the potential to collect and associate data with users’ identities, including financial and sensitive information. This goes beyond what Twitter typically collects from its users. Understandably, this could raise concerns for individuals who value their data privacy.
It’s worth noting that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Threads, has faced privacy controversies in the past, such as its involvement in the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Moreover, Meta was fined a record-breaking $1.3 billion in May for violating EU privacy laws. Given these past incidents, it’s understandable that users may approach the data collection practices of Threads with caution.
What makes decentralization such a significant matter?
By being a decentralized platform, Threads would possess an open-source algorithm that enables the public to scrutinize and examine its proprietary software, and potentially utilize it in other applications. This level of transparency would help foster user trust and could potentially push open-source microblogging, similar to Mastodon, into the mainstream.
Such a move would allow Meta, based in California, to capitalize on its substantial user base. As of January, Instagram alone boasted approximately two billion users, while Meta’s other platforms, Facebook and WhatsApp, had 2.96 billion and two billion users respectively, according to recent data from Statista. In comparison, Twitter has approximately 556 million users.
It remains uncertain whether and how Threads would be interconnected with Meta’s other platforms.