Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, teased a new app called Threads that is set to take on Twitter for real-time digital conversations.
Last month, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk managed to avoid a cage fight, but their respective companies, Meta (formerly Facebook) and Twitter, are now preparing for a head-to-head competition.
Meta recently unveiled Threads, a new “conversation” app that seems to be their long-awaited response to Twitter. The platform is scheduled for launch on Thursday and promises to provide a space where communities can come together to discuss a wide range of topics. According to the app-store description, Threads aims to connect users with their favorite creators and like-minded individuals who share their interests. It also offers users the opportunity to build their own following and share their ideas, opinions, and creativity with the world.
A preview screenshot on the app-store page reveals that users will have the option to log into Threads using their existing Instagram accounts. The app is designed for users aged 12 and above, ensuring a safe and age-appropriate experience.
Musk, clearly displeased with Meta’s plan to launch a Twitter clone, openly challenged Zuckerberg to a cage match as news of the company’s intentions circulated. In response, a Meta executive assured employees that their Threads app would be “sanely run,” highlighting a contrast with Musk’s leadership at Twitter.
On Monday night, Musk ridiculed Meta’s Threads app after a user named Mario Nawfal shared a post outlining the supposed data collection practices of the app, which allegedly included gathering information on purchases, search history, and more.
The impending launch of Meta’s app adds another complication for Twitter, which has been grappling with declining revenue, frequent service outages, and a loss of advertisers since Musk acquired the platform for $44 billion last year.
Meta has not yet responded to requests for comment. In April, the company reported that over three billion individuals were using at least one of its social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) on a daily basis.
Apart from Threads, several other Twitter competitors have gained momentum in recent days.
