Threads: The New Social Network
Threads, the new social network from Meta (formerly known as Facebook), went live yesterday afternoon and quickly gained 30 million signups within its first 24 hours. However, the platform is currently unavailable in the European Union due to compliance complexities with upcoming laws. Adam Mosseri, the boss of Instagram, which is owned by Meta, cited the EU's new Digital Markets Act as the reason for the delay, which will impact Threads and other social media companies.
Immediate Success with Some Limitations
Launching a new social network is always a significant endeavor, and Threads' immediate success can be attributed to its wide reach and user-friendly interface. Unlike other platforms such as Mastodon and Bluesky, Threads only requires an eligible country residence and an Instagram account to use. However, when it comes to functionality, it falls short.
Despite being flooded with content, Threads lacks direct messaging, hashtags, a desktop or web-based app, and the ability to limit the feed to people you follow. Instead, the feed is filled with content from corporations, celebrities, influencers, and random users, much like Instagram.
Nevertheless, Threads has already attracted high-profile celebrities and business accounts, setting it apart from other platforms. Renowned figures like Richard Branson, Jacksepticeye, Shaq, and AOC have already joined Threads, sparking a flurry of signups.
Even the video game industry has made its presence felt, with major companies like Activision and Ubisoft creating accounts. While it's challenging to determine the authenticity of these accounts, Threads clearly has the ability to attract interest from people who want to follow famous individuals or game developers.
Despite the emergence of several subreddits dedicated to Threads, indicating a willingness to give it a try, some users find the platform unnecessary. Its lack of basic functionality, coupled with its current success primarily driven by its reach and curiosity factor, raises doubts.
Privacy Concerns and Twitter's Reaction
Concerns about Threads go beyond its functionality. The platform collects extensive personal data from users, and deleting the account requires deleting the entire Instagram account—a step that many users would rather avoid. This raises concerns about privacy and the extent to which tech giants can access personal information.
While some users consider Threads unnecessary due to its lack of functionality, the platform's launch has caught the attention of Twitter's top brass. CEO Linda Yaccarino implies that the Twitter community cannot be duplicated, and owner Elon Musk has expressed his thoughts more candidly.
For more information on the current social media landscape, check out our guide to the best social media platforms. You can also learn how Mastodon works or explore the best Twitter clients to make the most of the social network.
