What are threads?
Threads is a new microblogging app launched by Meta Platforms on July 5th at 7pm EST and July 6th at midnight in the UK.
It is a text-based conversation platform that is linked to Instagram and allows users to follow accounts on the photo-sharing platform that they are already interested in.
Users can share their point of view in thread-like posts that look a lot like tweets.
“Threads bring communities together to discuss everything from the topics that interest you today to the trends of tomorrow,” the app store’s description reads.
“Whatever interests you, you can follow and connect directly with your favorite creators and others who love the same things – or build a loyal following to share your ideas, opinions and creativity with the world.”
Threads is currently available for pre-order on the App Store for users aged 12+
The app is available in 31 different languages, including English, Traditional Chinese, Russian, and Spanish, among others.
Per Meta’s terms of service, location and browsing history are used to make Threads work.
What does this mean for Elon Musk?
Mark Zuckerberg’s threads came just days after Elon Musk announced a temporary cap on how many posts a user can read on Twitter.
Now, Twitter users who spend $8 a month to become a verified user can view up to 6,000 tweets per day.
Unverified users can see up to 600 tweets per day and new, unverified accounts can see up to 300 tweets per day.
Threads will likely be a big source of competition between Zuckerberg and Musk since the two already agreed to a physical fight last month.
Just before launch, Musk appeared to take a dig at the new platform.
“Thank god they’re running so sane,” he wrote in response to a series of thread screenshots.
Users can share their point of view in thread-like posts, which are very similar to tweets
What personal information does Threads collect?
Threads collects 14 different types of data that may be linked to your identity.
In addition to location and browser history, this also includes financial information, purchase history and even health data.
The App Store also suggests that identifiers and “sensitive information” be collected alongside personal contact information.
However, data usage may vary depending on how you use the features offered.
A full list of data collection is below:
- health and fitness
- financial information
- contact information
- User Content
- Browser history
- usage data
- diagnosis
- purchases
- Location
- contacts
- search history
- identifiers
- sensitive information
- other data
How and when can you download it?
Threads is free and currently available for pre-order on Apple’s App Store for users aged 12+.
Mark Zuckerberg claims a web version will be available soon.