The tech world is abuzz with the impending launch of Threads, the microblogging app from tech giant Meta. It’s an entrance that has been long anticipated by social media enthusiasts and is set to arrive on the cusp of a turbulent time for Twitter, which recently implemented drastic changes to its platform. But while tech giants like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram remain top of mind, Threads has the potential to revolutionize an industry and create an open and friendly public space for conversation — something its founder, Mark Zuckerberg, is eager to see.
Introducing Threads: Instagram’s Spin-Off App
The new app is an Instagram-based spin-off and offers a familiar space for users, with the ability to reply, like, reshare, and share individual posts, access notifications (with the ability to filter replies, mentions, and entries from verified accounts), and search. It also makes the onboarding process as simple as possible by linking directly to your Instagram account. Integration is key to solving the challenge of building a social graph from scratch for new social networks.
One major concern with Threads is the extensive data collection it performs, as disclosed in Apple and Google’s app stores. Meta asks for extensive personal information, including sensitive data, which makes it an attractive target for data miners. In addition, the EU has stricter privacy laws than the US, so Threads has not launched there.
But Meta isn’t deterred. Adam Mosseri — the head of Instagram — has voiced his enthusiasm for the public launch: “The vision for Threads is to create an open and friendly public space for conversation” he explained. “We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing what’s on your mind.” He added, “Glad you’re all here on day one. Let’s build something great together!”
Evolving Social Norms and Privacy Discussions
Mastodon, Damus, and BlueSky have succeeded in decentralized social media, witnessing a surge in user signups. Threads, marketed as a Twitter alternative, lack the benefits of decentralization, making it vulnerable to censorship. So, Mastodon developers have been wary of whether they will federate with Threads, given their privacy concerns.
Ultimately, the launch of Threads is part of a larger conversation about ownership and control over data. The willingness to share personal data is a concern, and evolving social norms play a crucial role in privacy discussions. It will be intriguing to observe how Threads continue to shape the social media landscape in light of these considerations. Time will tell if users favor Threads, but its launch with Mosseri and Zuckerberg’s backing generates excitement.
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