Meta’s Threads app has seen a remarkable start, with ten million users signing up within seven hours of its launch, according to Mark Zuckerberg. Positioned as a “friendly” competitor to Twitter, Threads aims to attract dissatisfied Twitter users. The app allows for 500-character posts and offers features reminiscent of Twitter. Zuckerberg highlights the importance of maintaining a “friendly” environment for the app’s success, while Elon Musk argues that it is preferable to face criticism on Twitter rather than indulging in the artificial happiness of Instagram. Zuckerberg’s vision for Threads is to create a public conversation app with more than one billion users, aiming to address the void left by Twitter. Concerns have been raised regarding the app’s data collection, including personal health, financial, and browsing information. Threads is currently available in over 100 countries, excluding the EU due to regulatory considerations. Meta plans to expand the app’s features to allow interaction with users on other social media platforms.

Threads’ release follows criticism of Meta’s business practices, including prioritizing profits over safety and past scandals related to data privacy. With its integration with Instagram, Threads enjoys an advantage over alternatives like Bluesky and Mastodon. Users can share posts between Threads and Instagram, customize profiles, and control privacy settings. While connected to Instagram, Threads has drawn comparisons to Twitter, sparking speculation about its potential as a “Twitter killer.” Regulatory uncertainties have delayed its launch in the EU. However, Meta is exploring opportunities for expansion into the European market.