Meta is all set to launch its new microblogging site Threads on Thursday, an app that could rival Twitter. Threads is available for pre-order on the Apple App Store in the US and will be linked to Instagram.
Interestingly, the launch of Threads comes as Twitter announced curbs on its use, including the need to be verified to use TweetDeck. This is being viewed as Musk's way to generate revenue by putting features that were previously free behind a paywall.
Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, reacted to a tweet about Threads, stating: "Thank goodness they're so sanely run".
The launch of the app will fuel the rivalry between Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter owner Elon Musk.
The new app by Meta will allow users to follow the accounts they follow on Instagram and keep the same username. As it dropped on the iOS App Store in the U.S, the description read: "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 favorite 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," the App Store description reads.
As per reports, the screengrabs show a dashboard with a look similar to Twitter. Threads will also be free, and there will be no restrictions on how many posts a user can see, unlike the new policy by Twitter.
However, like every other Meta apps, Threads will likely gather data on your phone, including location data, purchases and browsing history, according to BBC.
Tech enthusiasts believe Threads will likely be a strong competitor to Twitter, which already saw an exodus of users to Bluesky, which caused the latter to crash on Saturday.
There were also reports that Meta was scouting celebrities to use Threads, by pitching the social media app as a "sanely run" platform, a reference used by Musk to take a dig at Meta.
