After weeks of anticipation, Meta finally launched its “Twitter Killer” app Threads last night.
While more than 10 million people have already signed up for the app, a cybersecurity expert warns that Threads 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.
Speaking to Web, Mr Moore said: “As with any new platform, there is always a scramble to gain a following and traction at the beginning.”
“Fake accounts usually have a good chance of developing a large following if the gates open to all types of accounts at the same time.”
Cybersecurity expert Jake Moore warns that new scams are likely to emerge in Threads
Although Threads is a new platform, access requires an Instagram account, so standalone accounts cannot be created.
Still, Mr. Moore criticized the current verification system on threads, where anyone can buy a blue tick.
This is part of the existing Meta Verified subscription service that integrates with both Facebook and Instagram.
For a blue tick, users pay a monthly cost of $11.99/£9.99 on web or $14.99/£11.99 for iOS services.
This paid system is very similar to Twitter Blue, with the addition of charging users $11.00/£11.00 for iOS and $8.00/£9.60 for web verification each month.
But again, similar to Twitter, there could be serious problems with fraudulent profiles in threads, making it easier to carry out scams.
Following the launch of Twitter Blue, users also noticed a huge surge of accounts impersonating celebrities.
One person pretended to be former President George W. Bush – who appeared to post an uncomfortable tweet about Iraq – and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
This problem isn’t unique to Twitter, however, and Mr. Moore claims it could also occur with threads – regardless of whether the profile is verified or not.
He continued, “Furthermore, given the issues surrounding verified accounts where anyone can now buy a verified tick, it simply gives everyone the opportunity to appear as someone else.”
Follow the Chron in threads
After the big launch of threads, fake accounts and misinformation might also emerge
“For example, there is a risk that someone as an organization or public figure creates an account and pays to be verified, and then follows many accounts and gains mutual followers.”
“This can later lead to problems such as financial fraud, misinformation and disinformation.”
To counter these risks, Mr. Moore urges users to “stay vigilant” and question what they read and where it came from amid the new thread discussion.
“People have to double-check their accounts before following them, but that can be challenging on a new platform,” he said.
“So people need to stay vigilant about what they read in the threads over the coming weeks and try to verify the information elsewhere before reposting it.”
In response, Meta explained that security measures are implemented in its platforms to ensure its verification system is effective.
To receive a blue tick, accounts must meet minimum activity requirements, e.g. B. a previous posting history, and must be at least 18 years old.
Users are also required to provide government-issued ID that matches their Instagram and Facebook profile.
The tech giant also assured that 40,000 people are currently working on the security of Meta and its protection infrastructure.
More than $16 billion has been invested in building these teams, who have been deployed to Threads since day one.
Mr Moore’s concerns come alongside other worries related to the platform itself and its privacy-encroaching potential.
When using Threads, the app collects 14 different types of personal information 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.
Zuckerberg’s meta already uses user information to serve personalized ads on its platforms.
So this could be why a top European Union (EU) regulator told Politico that Threads hadn’t started there yet.
New EU regulations – known as the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act – aim to bar the use of sensitive information in advertising profiling.
The European Union was asked for an opinion.
Follow the Chron in threads
What are threads? Everything you need to know about Zuckerberg’s Twitter rivals – and what it means for Elon
What are threads?
Threads is a new microblogging app launched by Meta Platforms at 7pm EST and 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 of your own 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 comes 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.
In a tweet earlier this week, 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+.