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| Image Credit: Google |
Threads, the
text-based rival to Twitter, has been officially launched by Meta.
The app became
available on Apple and Android app stores in over 100 countries, although its
release in Europe was postponed due to concerns regarding data privacy.
Mark
Zuckerberg, the Chief Executive of Meta and founder of Facebook, welcomed users
to Threads in his inaugural post on the platform.
Notably,
Threads currently operates without advertisements.
Here are the Key Aspects to know About the Threads Platform:
- Similarities to
Twitter:
Threads shares
some similarities with Twitter, featuring short text posts that can be liked,
shared, and replied to.
However, there
are certain word choices that have been modified, such as retweets being
referred to as "reposts" and tweets being called "threads."
Posts on
Threads can be up to 500 characters long, nearly double the limit of a tweet.
Additionally,
they can include links, photos, and videos of up to five minutes in duration,
as explained in a blog post by Meta.
- Absence of
Direct Messaging:
Unlike Twitter,
Threads does not include direct messaging capabilities, setting it apart from
its counterpart.
- Potential as a
Communication Channel:
With the
uncertain future of Twitter under Elon Musk's ownership, Meta's launch of
Threads raises questions about whether it can become the preferred
communication channel for celebrities, companies, and politicians.
Zuckerberg
expressed his hope for Threads to evolve into a platform with over one billion
users engaged in public conversations, as Twitter has not fully realized this
opportunity.
- Spin-off from
Instagram:
Threads,
despite not being a startup, seeks to attract Twitter's user base.
It is built
upon the foundations of Instagram, which is owned by Meta, allowing Threads to
leverage Instagram's existing audience of over two billion users.
Users can log
in using their Instagram credentials and follow the same accounts, making it a
seamless addition for Instagram users.
Adam Mosseri, the Chief of Instagram, highlighted the platform's focus on "public conversations" and expressed Meta's intention to incorporate features from Instagram into Threads.
- Advertising
Potential:
Threads'
association with Instagram has generated excitement among investors who see the
potential for a pre-established user base and advertising infrastructure.
This advantage
could divert significant advertising revenue from competitors like Twitter.
Privacy
Concerns:
While Threads
offers an alternative Twitter experience, user privacy is relatively less
protected compared to its rival's platform.
Meta has faced
criticism for its handling of personal data, which is utilized for targeted
advertising, yielding substantial profits.
These concerns
have led to the delay of Threads' entry into the European Union market due to
stringent privacy regulations.
There is a rule
limiting data transfer between products, which Instagram intends to navigate by
integrating the ActivityPub protocol, known for powering the Mastodon server
and network.
European
regulators will closely monitor Meta to ensure data transfer compliance.
User Sign-ups:
Within the
first four hours of launch, Threads attracted five million users, according to
Zuckerberg. Notable figures such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Hugh Jackman, and
media outlets like The Washington Post, Reuters, and The Economist had already
established active accounts on the platform.
(Courtesy:
Al-Jazeera)
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