The app named Threads is currently available for pre-order on the Apple App Store and will be integrated with Instagram. Screengrabs reveal a Twitter-like dashboard in the Threads app, described by Meta as a “text-based conversation app.”
This development adds to the ongoing rivalry between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter owner Elon Musk. Last month, the two men jokingly agreed to a physical fight, but the seriousness of their intention remains unclear.
In an apparent swipe at Zuckerberg, Musk responded to a tweet about Threads, stating, “Thank goodness they’re so sanely run.” Meanwhile, Twitter announced that its popular user dashboard, TweetDeck, will become a paid service in 30 days. Musk’s efforts to attract users to Twitter’s subscription service, Twitter Blue, continue with this move.
Over the weekend, the billionaire limited the number of tweets visible to users, citing extreme “data scraping.” Meta’s Threads app appears to be free, allowing users unrestricted access to posts. The App Store description defines Threads as a platform where communities gather to discuss various topics of interest.
App screenshots depict a striking resemblance to Twitter’s interface. As a Meta app, Threads will collect data from users’ phones, including location, purchases, and browsing history. Notable Twitter-like apps, such as Donald Trump’s Truth Social and Mastodon, have emerged in recent years.
Bluesky, another similar app, reported a surge in traffic following Musk’s tweet restricting Twitter usage. Threads poses a significant threat to Twitter’s dominance in the social media landscape. Zuckerberg has a track record of adopting successful ideas from other companies, as seen with Meta’s Reels (similar to TikTok) and Stories (similar to Snapchat).
Meta possesses the resources necessary to compete with Twitter, leveraging the existing Instagram platform for Threads’ user base. Musk has garnered both praise and criticism for his commitment to free speech, leading to a mixed response from users. Zuckerberg aims to attract enough dissatisfied Twitter users to establish a genuine alternative.
