Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has officially released its new social network tool, Threads, in over 100 countries and territories globally. Threads received 10 million user registrations in the first seven hours of its introduction.
Threads, billed as a text-based Instagram (IG), has the potential to be a powerful competitor to Twitter. However, its introduction in Europe has been postponed due to worries over data protection.
On the official Threads account, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg claimed,
“10 million registered users in 7 hours.” He further mentioned that Threads had reached 5 million registrations within the first four hours.
In his first post on the new platform, Zuckerberg wrote, “Let’s get started. Welcome to Threads.” He stated that, while Threads may take some time to grow, he believes it will become a public conversation tool with over a billion users, providing Twitter with an opportunity that it has overlooked. Threads, he hoped, could fill that hole.
Analysts believe that now is a good time for Meta to debut Threads because Twitter has been in turmoil as a result of CEO Elon Musk’s unpredictable moves, such as instituting fees and loosening content moderation, which has resulted in the departure of many devoted users. Twitter has also had troubles, such as major layoffs, frequent problems, and the loss of advertisers, leading in a steep drop in the company’s valuation. Taking advantage of Twitter’s tumultuous circumstances, Zuckerberg introduced Threads, with the expectation that it would become a new communication route for celebrities, businesses, and politicians.
However, Meta has received criticism, notably in Europe, for mishandling digital privacy. Meta faced charges of abusing user data after acquiring the messaging platform WhatsApp, forcing European regulatory organizations to remain alert in ensuring that Meta does not repeat similar activities. For Meta, user data is the lifeblood of personalized advertising, generating billions of dollars in profit each quarter.
The updated software is now available on both the Apple Software Store and the Google Play Store.
Threads provide a forum for communities to discuss a wide range of subjects and trends. Users can connect with and follow their favorite creators, establish their own following, and contribute their thoughts, perspectives, or creativity.
