Here’s what we know about Threads, Meta’s Twitter alternative

Mark Zuckerberg, owner of Meta, is challenging Elon Musk, owner of Twitter, in a battle that could determine the future of social media.

Both founders agreed to pair up for a ‘cage fight’.

But instead of an actual cage fight, Zuckerberg launched Threads, a new text-based social media platform that is set to rival Musk’s Twitter.

The platform was launched on July 6, 2023, and has been described by many as a “Twitter-like microblogging platform”.

THREADS IS SIMILAR TO TWITTER IN MANY WAYS

Though a different team of developers was behind the launch, Threads is similar to Twitter in many ways. Users experience the same Twitter interface once they login into the platform.

The app also comes with features similar to Twitter, such as liking, reposting, and deciding who can reply to threads.

It is described as “Instagram’s text-based conversation app” and is linked to a user’s Instagram account. The app allows users to post and engage in real-time conversations online — just like Twitter.

Users can also follow and connect with others who share similar interests and build a loyal following of their own to share their ideas, opinions, and creativity with the world.

YOU CAN SIGN UP WITH YOUR INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT

The Threads app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or via Google Play, and if you’ve already got an Instagram account, the platform will automatically assign the same username to you.

Another thing observed is that users must first have an Instagram account to be able to use the social media platform. Your Instagram details will be required when signing up.

ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH TO USE THE THREADS APP?

According to Meta, while they want the service to be as open and inclusive as possible, they also want it to be safe, secure, and in accordance with the law. Hence, users were notified of some restrictions.

The minimum age to open an account on nearly every social media platform, including Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, Kik, YouTube, Snapchat, Facebook, and more, is 13 years old.

Threads is no different. You must be at least 13 years old or the minimum legal age in your country to use the platform, which for Nigeria should be 18 years old.

IS THE THREADS APP SECURE AND SAFE TO USE?

Every social media platform has privacy settings that allow users to control who sees the information they share, and as a result, control the safety of their engagements on such platforms.

Cybersecurity experts have also advised users to be aware of their level of privacy on social media platforms and review the settings regularly as they can be changed.

Looking closely at the privacy policy provided in the app store, it indicated that Threads may collect data from users from the following categories: health and fitness, financial information, contact information, search history, and purchases, among others.

This is akin to the kind of data Twitter also collects either directly from the users, or through third parties.

CAN YOU DELETE YOUR THREADS PROFILE?

People have different reasons to want to delete their social media accounts. While deleting one’s account can be a difficult decision to make, it can also be rewarding.

But the Threads app makes it even harder for such a decision to be made, as opting to delete your account on the platform will lead to losing your Instagram account.

“You can only deactivate your profile once a week,” the Threads’ policy reads.

“If you don’t want to deactivate your profile but want to change who can see your posts, you can set your profile private or block someone’s profile.

“You can always delete individual posts. To delete your Threads profile and data, you’ll need to delete your Instagram account.”

TWITTER UNDER ELON MUSK

Since Musk took over the microblogging platform, Twitter has introduced several features and changes. In 2022, the firm came up with a subscription package for the verified blue tick mark.

In April 2023, Musk introduced a feature that allows media publishers to charge users on per article basis.

The most recent is the temporary limit that has been made to the number of posts users can read daily on the platform.

He said verified users will have access to 6,000 posts daily, while unverified and new users will be allowed to read 600 and 300 posts, respectively.

The restrictions have left users yearning for alternatives.