Facebookowner Meta has launched a new app called Threads, which appears to be a direct rival to Twitter. The new app is the latest chapter in the rivalry between Facebook boss Mark Zuckerbergand Elon Musk, who bought Twitter in October - bringing in changes that have mostly left users unsatisfied.
The timing of Threads by Meta's release couldn't be more perfect considering the current rate-limiting crisis over on Twitter. Musk has restricted the number of tweets users can see, citing extreme 'data scraping.' The app has also announced that the popular user dashboard, TweetDeck will go behind a paywall in 30 days time. As Twitter users get more disgruntled with the unpredictable changes – Meta is giving users another exciting option.
Launching apps that appear to be clones of others isn't new in the world of social media, as technology companies try to emulate – and possibly improve on – the success of their competitors.
Although there are many other apps doing similar things - Threads could be the biggest threat to Twitter to date. Zuckerberg has a history of borrowing other company's ideas... and making them work. Meta's Reels is widely seen as a TikTok copy, while Stories looks similar to Snapchat.
If you’re not sure about the details of the app we’ve got all the inside knowledge for you. Here is everything you need to know about Threads:
Is Elon Musk suing Threads?
Yes, Twitter is threatening to sue Meta. According to Semafor, Musk's attorney Alex Spiro sent a letter Zuckerberg accusing Meta of 'systematic, wilful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property' to create Threads.
Specifically, Mr Spiro alleged that Meta had hired a number of former Twitter employees who 'had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information' that ultimately helped Meta develop what he termed the 'copycat' Threads app. Doing so, Spiro says, violated state and federal laws.
The letter reads, 'Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information. Twitter reserves all rights, including, but not limited to, the right to seek both civil remedies and injunctive relief without further notice.'
Under a Twitter post sharing the news, Musk commented, 'Competition is fine, cheating is not.'
What is Threads?
The App store describes Threads by Meta as ‘Instagram’s text-based conversation app,’ where users can ‘say more.’ The description continues, ‘Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow. Whatever it is you’re interested in, you can follow and connect directly with your favourite 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.’
Is Threads available in the UK?
Threads is now available to download in over 100 countries including the UK, but not yet in the EU because of regulatory concerns.
How will Threads work?
Although Threads is an Instagram based app – it is stand-alone and will need to be downloaded separately.
However, due to the Instagram link - you won't have to start from scratch. You can log in with your Instagram account and go through your existing follower list to choose exactly who you want to follow on Threads. So, users will already have their Instagram circles to draw from, instead of starting over and building a new community.
The concept of Threads by Meta is pretty straightforward, presenting a familiar enough interface that means it should likely be a smooth transition for Twitter users and new users alike. Meta has kept details limited on its App Store listing, but it's clear that users can reply to, repost and forward posts – very similar to Twitter. Additionally, you can also choose the audience who can reply to your posts.
Threads will also hoover up data on your phone, including location data, purchases and browsing history.
How will threads differentiate from Twitter?
The way users use Threads is pretty similar to Twitter. However, what differentiates Threads from Twitter is that it is decentralised, meaning no single individual or organisation owns or regulates it, similar to cryptocurrencies – exactly what Mr Musk, who acquired Twitter, envisions for the platform.
There are a few differences, whilst Twitter only has a 250 character limit - Threads has 500 characters. Videos on Twitter have a 2 minute 20 second limit and Threads have a 5 minute limit - which does make sense as it's an Instagram based app. However, Threads currently doesn't have a direct messaging function which Twitter champions.
Are there hashtags on Threads?
While Hashtags are a key element of Twitter and a feature on other social platforms including Facebook and Instagram, they are not present on Threads. At the moment, the platform does not allow users to search for specific content.
What has the response to Threads been like?
Now that the Threads App is live, what have people been saying about it? A reporter for the BBC says the app looks almost identical to Twitter. The character limit, the reposting, the feed are all very familiar.
According to Mark Zuckerberg, millions of people have downloaded the app already. And when people sign up, they can take their Instagram followers with them. So, if you want it, you have a ready-made follow list. Meta isn't creating an app from scratch. It's benefiting from its billion-plus Instagram followers that are giving it a massive shot in the arm.
However, there doesn't seem to be any 'trending' information, which is one of Twitter's primary benefits, and there is no message function.
Threads is, ironically, trending on Twitter on its launch day. With users discussing the merits of the new app and trying to decide whether its worth setting up a new profile to access a very similar platform to the one they're already on.
Is there a dark version of Threads?
For those who prefer their screen in dark mode, you can do this on Threads too. Simply click the Threads logo and the desktop version switches to dark mode.
What else has Elon Musk said about Threads?
On Monday, before the app's launch, Elon Musk joked: 'Thank god they're so sanely run'. This was in response to recent criticism about how Meta is run as a company.
Last year, Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen said the company had put 'profits over safety' and criticised how the platform was moderated. Meta then faced a scandal in which it allowed third parties, including British political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, to access Facebook users' personal data.
When and where can I download Threads?
The Threads social media app is available to download from the App Store. Compatibility-wise, Threads will be available on iPhones and iPod Touches that run iOS 14 or later. It won't be available for iPads – which is no surprise since Instagram also isn't on Apple's tablets.
How do I set up Threads if I'm not on Instagram?
Threads by Instagram is designed to work as a conversational companion for Instagram, so you will need an Instagram account to access its features. To use Threads, you will need to sign in with your Instagram account or create a new account if you don't already have one.
How can I delete my Threads account?
At the moment, if you set up your Threads account using Instagram you cannot delete one without the other. While you can deactivate your account and no one will see your posts, Meta is still working on allowing one to exist without the other.
Will I be able to use Threads on Android phones?
Strangely, Threads did appear on Google Play on Sunday but has since disappeared and, currently still seems to be unavailable. People are speculating that it was a mistake, but there are no further details available as of yet.
Is Threads free to use?
Yes! While Twitter is technically free, the new Twitter Blue feature has meant users have had to paid for a number of verified features such as editing tweets. So, you’ll be happy to know that Threads is completely free. If they want viewers to stay it's likely to be kept that way for a while...