Threads, the Twitter-slaying app on Instagram

Threads, the Twitter-slaying app on Instagram

Threads, the Twitter-slaying app on Instagram, is all set to make its grand entrance this week in a bid to challenge the struggling titan of social media. However, owing to concerns surrounding the extensive exploitation of data, its launch in the European Union is bound to face delays. Developed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, this spanking new platform is scheduled to debut on July 6th on both the App Store and Play Store in the United States and the United Kingdom. 

Unfortunately, its release within the European Union hangs in the balance as it imports a substantial amount of data from Instagram, including behavioral and advertising information. This raises the potential of violating the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In order to steer clear of any conflicts and possible penalties, Meta has chosen not to introduce the service in Europe, except in the United Kingdom, which is not entirely bound by the GDPR or EU privacy regulations. This decision serves as a precautionary measure undertaken by the company and is not a result of any obstruction imposed by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC). Once Threads aligns with European privacy laws, users in the EU will likely be able to revel in the platform. But, for the time being, they'll just have to hold their horses.

Threads aspires to be a hub where communities converge to delve into a myriad of fascinating topics and upcoming trends. The app is expected to bear resemblance to existing models, ensuring a seamless transition for users well-acquainted with Instagram and Twitter. Users will have the ability to link their Instagram accounts, discover accounts they already follow on Instagram within the new app, and post using an interface akin to Twitter, Mastodon, BlueSky Social, or any other text-focused social media app. Threads will offer familiar features such as composing texts with a maximum character limit of 500 (in contrast to Twitter's 280 characters, or 10,000 characters with a Twitter Blue subscription), integration of photos, links, and videos up to 5 minutes in duration. 

Users will also be able to interact with posts via comments and reposts, as well as create threads comprising multiple messages. The platform will impose a cap of 100 posts in a single thread, unlike Twitter, which has no such restrictions. Threads will integrate with ActivityPub, a decentralized social media protocol employed by platforms like Mastodon, thereby enabling users to transfer their accounts and followers to other applications supporting the protocol. Moreover, Threads will function as a collectively-owned platform, relying on a network of interconnected servers rather than being under the control of a sole individual.

Meta's decision to develop Threads as a response to Twitter emanates from the aspiration to furnish creators and public figures with a platform they can rely on and have faith in for distribution. Meta places emphasis on security, user-friendliness, and dependability, offering creators a stable space to forge and expand their audience. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has already extended invitations to content creators to join the platform and attract a substantial number of users. The company is presently engaged in negotiations with influential figures like Oprah and the Dalai Lama. The prevailing circumstances, including Elon Musk's controversial management of Twitter and dissatisfied users in search of alternative platforms, present a favorable opportunity for Meta to venture into the realm of "textual" platforms.