Facebook to launch Threads - Twitter Competitor
Facebook owner Meta is set to launch a new app called Threads, aiming to compete with Twitter. The app, currently available for pre-order on the Apple App Store, will be closely integrated with Instagram. Described as a "text-based conversation app" by Meta, Threads features a dashboard that bears resemblance to Twitter's interface.
The launch of Threads intensifies the rivalry between Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter's Elon Musk. The two moguls had previously agreed to a physical fight, although the seriousness of their intentions remains uncertain. In response to a tweet about Threads, Musk took a swipe at Zuckerberg, sarcastically remarking, "Thank goodness they're so sanely run."
In a parallel development, Twitter announced that its popular user dashboard, TweetDeck, will soon be accessible only behind a paywall. Musk has been actively encouraging users to subscribe to Twitter Blue, the platform's subscription service. Recently, the billionaire limited the number of tweets users could see, citing concerns over "data scraping."
Unlike Twitter's restrictions, Meta's Threads app appears to be free with no limitations on post visibility. According to its description on the App Store, Threads serves as a platform for communities to discuss a wide range of topics. Images from the app depict a user interface strikingly similar to Twitter's layout.
As a Meta app, Threads is expected to collect various data from users' devices, including location data, browsing history, and purchase information. Notably, other Twitter-like apps such as Donald Trump's Truth Social and Mastodon have emerged in recent years. Bluesky, another similar platform, reported a surge in traffic following Musk's decision to limit Twitter usage.
Nevertheless, Threads poses the most substantial challenge to Twitter's dominance to date. Zuckerberg has a history of adopting successful features from other companies and incorporating them into his platforms. Meta's Reels, for instance, is widely regarded as a TikTok replica, while Stories closely resembles Snapchat's format.
Meta possesses the resources and established user base through Instagram to compete effectively with Twitter. Threads will leverage the vast Instagram platform, providing seamless connectivity to hundreds of millions of accounts. This advantage sets it apart from other aspiring Twitter alternatives that had to start from scratch.
While Musk has received praise for his support of free speech, he has also alienated certain users. Zuckerberg aims to attract enough dissatisfied Twitter users to Threads, offering them a viable alternative. The battle between these tech titans will undoubtedly shape the landscape of social media and online discourse in the coming years.