Meta, the parent company of Facebook, recently launched its new social media app called Threads. Within a few days of its release, over 100 million people signed up, making it a major challenger to Twitter.
The rivalry between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk has also been a topic of discussion about Threads. Musk has been critical of Facebook's privacy policies in the past and has even called for the company to be regulated. It remains to be seen how this rivalry will play out, but it is clear that Threads is a major development in the social media landscape and one that will be watched closely by industry experts and users alike.
The Launch of Threads and Initial Success
Threads went live on the Apple and Android app stores simultaneously in 100 countries. Despite the absence of ads, the app gained immense popularity. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, announced the astonishing milestone of 10 million sign-ups within seven hours of its launch.
Celebrities and Media Outlets Already on Threads
Notably, Threads already attracted the attention of several prominent figures. Celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Hugh Jackman, Oprah, and Kim K, along with media outlets such as The Washington Post and The Economist, were already active on the platform. This early adoption by influential personalities adds to the app's credibility and user appeal.
Zuckerberg vs. Musk: A Bitter Rivalry
Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk have long been known as bitter rivals. In a tweet, Zuckerberg posted a Spiderman meme, seemingly drawing a comparison between Threads and Twitter. He expressed his vision of creating a public conversation app with over one billion users, taking a direct shot at Twitter's failure to achieve this. The rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk adds an intriguing element to the competition between Threads and Twitter.
Threads: A Spin-off of Instagram
Threads is closely related to Instagram, leveraging its vast user base of over two billion people. Adam Mosseri, the chief of Instagram, emphasized the goal of building an open and friendly platform for conversations. He encouraged users to promote kindness, creating a positive environment within Threads.
The Potential of Threads and Its Impact on Twitter
Strategic financial analyst Brian Wieser believes that if influential Instagram users, such as celebrities like Kardashian, Bieber, or Messi, regularly engage with Threads, the platform could quickly thrive. Analyst Jasmine Engberg from Insider Intelligence states that Threads only needs to attract one out of every four Instagram monthly users to achieve a similar magnitude as Twitter. With Twitter users actively seeking alternatives and Elon Musk's controversial decisions regarding content moderation, Threads has a significant opportunity to make a mark in the social media landscape.
Launch Delay in Europe
Despite its initial success, Threads is facing challenges in Europe due to data privacy concerns. The release of the app in European countries has been postponed to address regulatory issues. Meta's handling of personal data, which plays a crucial role in targeted advertising, has drawn criticism and scrutiny. Meta's decision to launch Threads before obtaining regulatory clarity demonstrates their urgency to establish a foothold in the market.
User Response and Privacy Concerns
The launch of Threads sparked an explosion of user engagement on Twitter, with the Threads hashtag generating over a million tweets. Some users jokingly suggested returning to Musk's platform, emphasizing the burstiness and unpredictable nature of social media trends. Privacy concerns were also raised, with users expressing distrust toward Meta's treatment of private information. The company's controversial reputation and ongoing tensions with the European Union make some users hesitant to fully embrace Threads.
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