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ToggleBy Mark Dueling
Published: 8:31 AM, July 6, 2023 | Updated: 10:34 AM, July 6, 2023
Threads, the new app from Facebook and Instagram owners Meta, has now been launched to compete with Twitter. Follow Web’s coverage for the latest updates as the app goes live in the UK today:
While more than 10 million people have already signed up for Threads, a cybersecurity expert warns that the new app could be the perfect target for scammers.
Jake Moore, ESET’s global security advisor, told Web that misinformation and fake accounts could be at stake for the social media platform as it gains traction in more than 100 countries.
Read the whole story here:
Mark Zuckerberg tweets for the first time in 11 years
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg posted his first tweet in over a decade.
Just after 1am UK time, he posted a well-known meme pitting Spiderman against Spiderman.
It was an obvious reference to the similarities between threads, as well as his rivalry with Twitter’s Elon Musk.
It was his first tweet since January 18, 2012.
Will you use threads?
Web is conducting a poll on Twitter to find out if readers will use threads. Here you can participate:
What do Threads users think of the new app?
Here’s a selection of reviews from people who tried Threads this morning:
Neil Shearer, a Manchester-based photographer who runs Neil Shearer Photography: “I like it so far.” It’s a great opportunity to add features that people have been asking for on Twitter for years. Yes, it’s still a bit chunky, but it’s literally day one, so let the Zig loose a bit. It crashes when I try to post and there’s no easy way to juggle multiple accounts, but overall it feels “nicer” than my first day on Twitter. It immediately feels more inviting.”
Tasnime Rotherham, Founder of Peterborough based independent tea retailer Very Craftea: “I just signed up and I’m not exactly sure why!” Is it because I missed out on all the other social media platforms to begin with? Probably. Is it the same as Twitter? Due to my limited usage on Twitter, it looks and feels 100 percent the same. Will I use it more than my inactive Twitter account? Yes, in any case. Well, at least for the first week or so. I think the only thing is different because you can connect with your existing followers, it’s not that scary and a leap into the unknown. I already had 40 people wanting to follow me as soon as I joined. So that’s a nice feeling of popularity. But who knows what it will be like in a week’s time?’
Kate Allen, Founder of Devon-based luxury rental company Finest Stays: “Given that cage fights aren’t my thing, it’s great to see the two digital giants go head-to-head in this online format.” I put my money into threads given the initial lightness of post, appealing graphics, and a fresh start against the horrific political hatred that poisons Twitter. But asking me to follow every account I already follow on Instagram feels lazy and uninspiring.”
How is Threads used and does it really live up to the hype?
Web has installed the new app and tested all functions. See what we found here:
What does meta say about threads?
Here is the product description for Threads on Apple’s App Store and Google Play:
“Say more with Threads – Instagram’s text-based conversation app.” Threads brings communities together to discuss everything from the topics that interest you today to the trends of tomorrow.
“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.”
What do the experts say about threads?
Here’s a selection of quotes from marketers about Threads today:
Lee Petts, founder of Preston-based marketing agency Fifty2M: “If it wasn’t already clear that Threads Meta is Twitter’s answer, just take a look at the prominent ‘@’ logo, with its brazen nod to the way , as Twitter has always done.”. The cage fight between Musk and Zuckerberg has actually begun, if only metaphorically for now.
“With a user interface and layout that visually resembles Twitter, it’s fairly easy for users to navigate.” The big challenge is that this is yet another social media site where users need to build an audience, and many might just not want to spend time on it, but the ability to engage with your Instagram followers makes that a whole lot easier. ‘
Richard MichieCEO of Leeds-based The Marketing Optimist: “I can really see Threads making serious inroads into Twitter, which is a serious case since Elon Musk bought it to ostensibly fix it.”
“Yes, it’s missing features like search, but I’m sure they’ll be added later.” “The really interesting point is that this is related to Instagram and not Facebook, which is clearly becoming the nagging grandfather of social media.”
Debbie Porter, Managing Director of Bakewell-based Destination Digital Marketing: “Mark Zuckerberg really doesn’t like Elon Musk, does he?” Ten million users in less than seven hours is a hell of a start. The home screen mentions Fediverse, with a promise that the platform will be able to communicate with other social networks in future releases.
“Threads invites everyone to party in one big room, regardless of whether the person they’re communicating with is logged in and active on Instagram, Mastodon, Snapchat, or who knows, even Twitter?” Let’s see if it flies. So far it certainly looks like it.”
Jack Saundersdirector of YouTube creator marketing agency Exonia: “Threads is well positioned to capture significant market share and is a real competitor to Twitter.” Musk will have a full inbox this morning.
The advantage of “Threads” is the direct connection to Instagram’s huge user base, which is five times larger than Twitter’s. That means Meta only needs 20 percent of its active Instagram users to join threads to outperform Twitter. “Meta continues to provide a safer environment for advertisers on its platforms, which will be critical to the platform’s long-term viability.”
Which celebrities are already in threads?
Accounts are already active on Threads for celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Hugh Jackman, Gordon Ramsay, and Jack Black
Mark Hoyle, better known as the YouTuber LadBaby, has also gotten involved – while outlets including Web, The Washington Post and The Economist have set up accounts.
US brands such as Billboard, HBO, NPR, The Hollywood Reporter, Vice and Netflix have established themselves, as have other well-known figures such as former Meta boss Sheryl Sandberg.
Follow Web’s Facebook page for live updates
You can also follow Web’s Facebook page for live updates on thread launches – including this post here:
Where to download threads?
You can download threads for free from these two locations:
What do threads look like?
Here’s a series of screenshots from Meta showing the UI for threads:
How does Threads use your data?
Threads collect 14 different types of data that can 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.
The creators keep track of the content posted, how you use the app and also their diagnosis.
However, threads’ use of this feature may vary based on age and usage of the features offered.
These are the 14 data types used by threads:
- health and fitness
- financial information
- contact information
- User Content
- Browser history
- usage data
- diagnosis
- purchases
- Location
- contacts
- search history
- identifiers
- sensitive information
How much does Threads cost?
Meta’s new Threads app is completely free to download.
It is not yet clear whether there will be additional costs when using it.
Two months ago, Meta launched a paid verification service on Instagram and Facebook, costing £9.99 a month on web and £11.99 a month on iOS.
It is possible that Threads could also contain similar functionality, but this is not known at this time.
Why are there privacy concerns about threads?
Meta’s new app has raised privacy concerns.
According to the App Store privacy disclosure, threads could collect a variety of personal information, including health, financial, contacts, browsing and search history data, location data, purchases, and “sensitive information.”
Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey pointed this out in a scathing tweet saying “all your threads are ours,” which included a screenshot of the reveal. Musk replied, “Yes.”
However, Meta has prioritized measures to protect users, including enforcing Instagram’s Community Guidelines and providing tools to control who can mention or reply to users.
Why isn’t Threads available in the European Union yet?
Threads is now available in 100 countries in the Apple and Android app stores, but release in parts of Europe has been delayed due to privacy concerns.
The company has been criticized for its handling of personally identifiable information, an essential part of targeted advertising that enables the company to rake in billions of dollars in profits.
Instagram boss Adam Mosseri said he regrets the European Union launch has been delayed, but if Meta had waited for regulatory clarity from Brussels, Threads would have been “many, many, many months away.”
“I was afraid our window would close because timing is important,” he told tech news website Platformer.
According to a source familiar with the matter, Meta was suspicious of a new law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which sets strict rules for the world’s “gatekeeper” internet companies.
A rule prevents platforms from moving user data between products, as they might do between Threads and Instagram.
Meta was caught doing just that after buying WhatsApp, and European regulators will be on high alert to make sure Meta isn’t doing this illegally with Threads.
In which languages can threads be used?
Threads can be used in: English, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian (Bokmål), Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian , Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian and Vietnamese.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Twitter rival received mixed reactions today after more than 10 million users signed up to the app.
Memes erupted on social media criticizing the Facebook boss’s new app Threads, which went online at midnight in the UK and allows users to post up to 500 characters of text, five minutes of video and images.
Twitter users complained about “bugs” and the “lack of basic functionality” in threads. Some shared amusing GIFs saying people would “go back to Twitter” after trying them out.
Read the full story on Web here:
Mark Zuckerberg’s “Twitter killer” app Threads launched overnight and registered more than 10 million people in the first few hours, while Elon Musk vilified it and claimed it spreads “false happiness” like Instagram.
Threads, created by Facebook owners Meta, went online at midnight on Thursday in the UK, trying to woo Twitter users with longer posts and accounts linked to their Instagram. Threads is the top trending word on Twitter today.
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg wrote in the app: “10 million registrations in seven hours”. He also tweeted for the first time in 11 years – and shared a Spiderman meme apparently aimed at his black opponent Musk – after claiming that Threads was surpassing Twitter’s 450 million users.
Read the full story from Web chief reporter Martin Robinson here:
Do experts think Threads is a major competitor to Twitter?
Social media consultant and industry analyst Matt Navarra told the PA news agency that the app was the “first credible threat” to Twitter.
He said, “I think Threads is the first real, credible threat to Elon Musk’s Twitter.”
“Twitter users are desperate to exit the platform, and the existing options for competitors are fairly limited.”
“They all have the same big problem: you have to start from scratch — it’s a whole new network.”
“One of the biggest benefits of Meta is that it builds on top of Instagram, where people are familiar and can also grow their following because it’s plugged into the same social chart.”
He said that while users would like change, this would be weighed against the differing public opinions on Meta.
He added, “Meta and Instagram bring baggage, a bad reputation, and bad press.” People are very wary and skeptical about everything [Meta owner] Mark Zuckerberg does.’
What are threads?
Threads is created by Facebook and Instagram owners Meta and touted as Twitter’s rival.
Linking with Instagram allows users to post up to 500 characters of text and up to five minutes of videos and links, as well as images.
Users of the new app can get started with their Instagram login and, like on the image sharing platform, follow and network with friends and influencers with similar interests.
In the UK, all users under the age of 18 are given a private profile by default when they join.
A person’s feed in the app includes threads from people they follow and featured content from creators they haven’t heard of.
Threads posts can be shared on a user’s Instagram story and as a link on other platforms.
In the new app, users can control who mentions them and who can reply to them. Replies to threads containing specific words can be filtered out and other users can no longer be tracked, blocked, restricted and reported.
Any accounts that a user has banned on Instagram will be automatically banned in the new app and Instagram’s security policies will be enforced on the new platform, Meta said.
How many people use threads?
According to Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Threads attracted more than 10 million people in the first few hours.
Chef Gordon Ramsay and pop star Shakira have already joined and announced their presence on the app.
Mr. Zuckerberg posted on the app under the username zuck and used a gorgeous emoji and said, “10 million signups in seven hours.”
He previously said, “I think there should be an app for public conversations with more than a billion people.” Twitter had the opportunity but didn’t make it. Hopefully we will.’
Welcome to Web’s live blog on threads
Good morning and welcome to Web’s live coverage of the launch of Threads, the new app from Facebook and Instagram owners Meta, in the UK.
Stay with us today to be aware of the latest updates and learn more about the app and its user acceptance.