Meta’s Threads app has had a strong start, attracting ten million users within seven hours of its launch, according to Mark Zuckerberg. Positioned as a friendly competitor to Twitter, Threads aims to appeal to dissatisfied Twitter users. The app allows for 500-character posts and offers features similar to Twitter. Zuckerberg envisions Threads as a public conversation app with over one billion users. Concerns have been raised about data collection, including personal health and financial information. Threads is available in over 100 countries, except the EU, due to regulations. Meta plans to expand the app’s features for interaction with users on other social media platforms.

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