LONDON: A new social media app called Threads has been launched in 100 countries by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Despite its initial popularity with over 10 million users joining within the first seven hours, there are concerns about the app’s security. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, shared the news on the app under the username zuck and expressed his excitement about the overwhelming response. With recent changes happening on Twitter, such as the removal of verified legacy accounts and modifications to Tweetdeck, users might be inclined to give Threads a try.
The PA news agency has addressed some of the common questions about Threads that users may have. Threads is similar to Twitter, focusing on text posts and allowing users to share up to 500 characters of text, five minutes of video and links, and pictures. To sign up for the app, users can download it from the Google Play Store or Apple Pay Store for Android or iOS devices. Existing Instagram account holders can use their login details to access Threads and choose whether to have a private or public profile.
Visually, Threads bears a resemblance to Twitter, with similar features such as posting, quoting a thread, searching, liking, and replying to posts. Users can also view their activity and notifications. The layout of Threads adopts a column-based design, and scrolling vertically allows users to navigate through the app. Verified accounts on Instagram are currently given a blue verified tick on Threads as well.
However, there are differences between Threads and Twitter. Threads currently does not offer direct messaging features or a desktop version. Additional Twitter features like lists, bookmarks, and communities are absent from Threads. Moreover, Threads does not seem to support hashtags, and searching for specific words or phrases posted by users may be limited.
Privacy and security concerns have been raised with regards to Threads. Reports suggest that the app did not launch in the European Union (EU) due to concerns about personal data usage and compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. The data collection practices of Threads remain uncertain, and Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey pointed out potential risks associated with the app’s launch. A screenshot of the privacy section from the App Store showed that Threads might collect financial information, contacts, and browsing history. Elon Musk, the current owner of Twitter, responded to Dorsey’s tweet with a simple affirmation.
Celebrities have already started using Threads, with singer Shakira, chef Gordon Ramsey, and businessman Richard Branson sharing their experiences on the app. Some users have expressed their hopes and relief in having an alternative social media platform to Twitter. However, on Twitter itself, there are mixed reactions to Threads, with some users claiming to have quickly returned to Twitter after trying Threads for only a few minutes.
Despite its early success, Threads will need to address the security concerns and competition from established social media platforms to sustain its growth.
Credit: The Star : Tech Feed
