Meta's New App Thread to Take on Twitter

Meta is set to shake up the social media landscape with the introduction of Threads, a text-based conversation app that closely resembles Twitter. The app, which is linked to Instagram, is scheduled to debut as early as Thursday, as indicated by its listing on Apple's App Store.

Threads promises to be a hub where communities converge to discuss current and trending topics. Users can retain their Instagram usernames and follow the same accounts on this fresh platform, as depicted in the App Store listing's screenshots. Meta has refrained from providing any official comment regarding the app at this time.

Jack Dorsey, Twitter co-founder, tweeted a screenshot from the App Store's privacy section, accompanied by the statement, "All your Threads are belong to us," to which Elon Musk responded with a simple "yeah." This playful interaction sheds light on the competitive atmosphere between Twitter and Meta.

For Musk, Threads presents a potential challenge, considering his acquisition of Twitter for $44 billion last year. Recent changes made by Musk, such as implementing daily tweet limits, have unsettled advertisers and frustrated users. This frustration may work to Meta's advantage, with Matt Navarra, a social media consultant, stating that Threads offers disenchanted Twitter users a promising alternative.

Navarra highlights that the opportunity to transition Instagram profiles to Threads could garner more interest from potential users, as they would have a readily available list of accounts to follow. Navarra, an experienced social media director, suggests that Twitter's recent unpopular changes, including a verification requirement for TweetDeck, are aimed at generating additional revenue.

While Meta's timing seems favorable, it remains to be seen if users will trust the platform's data privacy track record. Previous Twitter challengers, such as Mastodon, faced difficulties in attracting a significant user base. Navarra speculates whether the discontent among Twitter users will lead to a mass exodus or a gradual decline.

The rivalry between Musk and Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, may also extend beyond the digital realm. In an online exchange, the two tech titans appeared to agree to a potential face-off in a cage match, although its realisation remains uncertain.

Source: REUTERS