Meta’s long-awaited Twitter alternative is here and it’s called Threads. The new social media app launches at a time when alternatives like Bluesky, Mastodon and Spill are vying for users unhappy with Elon Musk’s handling of Twitter’s user experience, newly introduced rate caps and a rise in hate speech.
Meta owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, so the company’s attempt to recreate an online experience similar to Twitter is likely to attract many commoners, lurkers, and nomadic shitposters. Meta is working to integrate Threads as part of the online Fediverse, a group of shared servers where users can interact across multiple platforms. 
If you’re hesitant about giving your personal information to a company facing a billion-dollar fine, that’s understandable. For those who are curious, here’s what we know about the service’s privacy policy, what information you provide when you sign up, and how that compares to information collected by other options.
subjects
Threads (Android, Apple) may collect a variety of personally identifiable information that stays connected to you based on information available in Apple’s App Store, from your purchase history and physical address to your browsing history and health information. “Sensitive information” is also listed as a type of data collected by the Threads app. This may include, but is not limited to, your race, sexual orientation, pregnancy status and religion, and your biometric data.
Threads falls under the broader privacy policy that applies to Meta’s other social media platforms. Would you like to see the whole? You can read it for yourself here. However, there is a caveat. The app has a supplementary privacy policy that is also worth reading. A notable detail from this document is that while you can deactivate your Threads account at any time, if you want to delete your Threads account completely, you must delete your Instagram.
Below is all the data collected by threads mentioned in the App Store. Do you have the Facebook or Instagram app on your phone? Keep in mind that this data collection by Meta is similar to the data these apps collect about you.
Android users don’t have to provide the same amount of rich data on the Google Play Store to try Threads. You have more control than Apple users because you can control exactly what personal data is shared with apps.
Data linked to you
Third party advertising:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Financial Information (Other Financial Information)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (physical address, email address, name, phone number, contact information of other users)
- contacts
- User Content (photos or videos, gameplay content, other User Content)
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data, other usage data)
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
- other data
Advertising or Marketing by Developer:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Financial Information (Other Financial Information)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (physical address, email address, name, phone number, contact information of other users)
- contacts
- User Content (photos or videos, gameplay content, other User Content)
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data, other usage data)
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
- other data
Analytics:
- Health & Fitness (Health, Fitness)
- Purchases (purchase history, financial information, payment information, other financial information)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (physical address, email address, name, phone number, contact information of other users)
- contacts
- User Content (photos or videos, audio, gameplay content, customer support, other User Content)
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data, other usage data)
- Sensitive Information
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
- other data
Product Personalization:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Financial Information (Other Financial Information)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (physical address, email address, name, phone number, contact information of other users)
- contacts
- User Content (photos or videos, gameplay content, other User Content)
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data, other usage data)
- Sensitive Information
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
- other data
App functionality:
- Health & Fitness (Health, Fitness)
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Financial information (payment information, credit information, other financial information)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (physical address, email address, name, phone number, contact information of other users)
- contacts
- User Content (emails or text messages, photos or videos, audio, gameplay content, customer support, other User Content)
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data, other usage data)
- Sensitive Information
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
- other data
Other purposes:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Financial Information (Other Financial Information)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (physical address, email address, name, phone number, contact information of other users)
- contacts
- User Content (photos or videos, gameplay content, customer support, other User Content)
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data, other usage data)
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
- other data
Blue sky
Are you looking for an app that collects less personal data? Bluesky (Android, Apple) is a popular Twitter alternative created by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey and led by CEO Jay Graber. Bluesky uses the AT protocol that he created. The app is currently invitation-only, but it doesn’t currently collect nearly as much information as Threads or Twitter.
For Bluesky, the data associated with you is focused on app functions, such as storing your email address and user ID or accessing photos and videos on your device so you can post memes. Find out more about Bluesky’s privacy policy here. Keep in mind that the service is still new and adding new features, so changes are likely to come as it evolves.
Below is all the data collected by Bluesky mentioned in the App Store. (Note that this only applies to iPhone owners. If you’re using an Android smartphone, you have more control over what data is shared.)
Data linked to you
App functionality:
- Contact information (email address)
- User Content (photos or videos, customer support, other User Content)
- Identifiers (User ID)
The data is not linked to your person
Analytics:
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
App functionality:
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
mastodon
What if you wanted a social media app that didn’t suck up all your personal information? Mastodon (Android, Apple) might be a good option for you. Originally launched in 2016 by Eugen Rochko, Mastodon uses a decentralized protocol, distinct from Bluesky, called ActivityPub. It is part of the Fediverse of shared servers. Mastodon isn’t exactly a new choice; It has positioned itself as an alternative to Twitter for years. (Remember, 2023 isn’t the first time users are considering ditching Twitter for something new and exciting.)
Are you trying it for the first time? Here’s a great guide to getting started with Mastodon. There’s a bit of a learning curve here.
Below is all the data collected by Mastodon mentioned in the App Store.
*Taylor Swift style.*
[Blank Space]
That’s right, the Mastodon app for iOS does not collect any data from your device. For Android owners, the app may share your name and email address with other companies.
If for some reason you don’t like the official Mastodon apps, you can always try alternative apps with unique interfaces and features. Just keep an eye out for the privacy policies and data collection for these apps as they don’t have to commit to zero data collection like the official apps.
Spill
Are you part (or a fan) of Black Twitter and looking for a new posting platform, preferably one that’s inclusive and vocal? Spill (Apple) is a black owned social media app designed for diverse communities, especially people of color. It was founded by Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell and Devaris Brown, both formerly at Twitter, and launched earlier this year. Spill is not part of the Fediverse of shared servers.
Spill is currently invitation-only, but you can sign up for the waitlist. While Spill collects sensitive information, the other aspects of data collection aren’t as extensive as Threads. Here is the full privacy statement for you to read.
Below is all the data collected by Spill mentioned in the App Store. It’s worth noting that Spill’s development team does this I am working on an android appbut it is not available yet.
Data linked to you
Advertising or Marketing by Developer:
- location (rough location)
- Contact information (email address, name, phone number)
- User content (emails or text messages, photos or videos, audio data)
- Sensitive Information
Analytics:
- location (rough location)
- Contact information (email address, name, phone number)
- User content (emails or text messages, photos or videos, audio data)
- Sensitive Information
Product Personalization:
- location (rough location)
- Contact information (email address, name, phone number)
- contacts
- User content (emails or text messages, photos or videos, audio data)
- Sensitive Information
App functionality:
- location (rough location)
- Contact information (email address, name, phone number)
- contacts
- User content (emails or text messages, photos or videos, audio data)
- Sensitive Information
Other purposes:
- Contact information (email address, telephone number)
Hive Social
It’s a bit smaller than other platforms, but Hive Social (Android, Apple) is another contender for your attention span that’s particularly popular with gamers. This app is not part of Fediverse. Are you nostalgic for the days when curated music played automatically when someone visited your profile? This feature sets Hive apart from Twitter, along with a built-in question-and-answer feature that allows your followers to ask you (sometimes anonymously) questions that you can answer in posts in your feed. Want to try Hive? Check out our guide with tips to get you started.
The app collects information about you for functionality and analysis purposes, but it is not specifically related to you. Find out more about what data the app uses by taking a look at the privacy policy.
Below is all the data collected by Hive Social mentioned in the App Store for iPhone owners. (Have a Google Pixel or other Android device in your pocket? You can visit your privacy settings to have more control over what data Hive collects.)
Data not linked to you
Analytics:
- Contact information (email address, name, phone number)
- User Content (photos or videos, customer support, other User Content)
- Identifiers (User ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, other usage data)
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
App functionality:
- Contact information (email address, name, phone number)
- User Content (photos or videos, customer support, other User Content)
- Identifiers (User ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, other usage data)
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
What about Twitter?
Threads seems to collect a lot of personal data. (Because it is!) For more context, let’s also look at what Twitter charges. Twitter (Android, Apple) stores a variety of data associated with users and used to track you, such as B. Your purchase and browsing history. With this in mind, the app does not list “sensitive information” as one of the disclosed categories of data collection. View the full privacy policy detailed breakdown.
Below is all data collected by Twitter mentioned in the App Store. (Escaped from Apple’s Walled Garden? The Android app for Twitter still collects some personal data, like your exact location and web browsing history, unless you adjust your privacy settings.)
Data used to track you
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (email address)
- User Content
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data)
Data linked to you
Third party advertising:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (email address)
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data)
- Diagnosis (performance data)
Advertising or Marketing by Developer:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (email address)
- User Content
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data)
Analytics:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- contacts
- User Content (photos or videos, audio, other User Content)
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data)
- Diagnosis (crash data, performance data)
Product Personalization:
- Purchases (purchase history)
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (email address, phone number)
- contacts
- User Content
- search history
- Browser history
- Identifiers (User ID, Device ID)
- Usage data (product interaction, advertising data)
- Diagnostics (crash data, performance data, other diagnostic data)
Other purposes:
- Location (exact location, rough location)
- Contact information (email address, name, phone number)
- contacts
- User Content (photos or videos)
- search history
- Identifiers (User ID)
The data is not linked to your person
Third party advertising:
Advertising or Marketing by Developer:
Analytics:
- User Content (emails or text messages)
- other data
App functionality:
- Contact information (physical address)
- User Content (emails or text messages)
- other data
This story originally appeared on wired.com.