Meta’s newly launched microblogging service, Threads, poses challenges for Twitter while igniting privacy issues.

In Brief

Meta's Threads app, designed to be a competitor to Twitter, is set to debut on July 6.

Concerns regarding privacy are surfacing due to the app’s methods of gathering user data.

The microblogging service, Threads, by Meta, intended to compete with Twitter, is launching on Thursday. goes live Users can pre-order the app on the Apple App Store, linking it to Instagram and offering a Twitter-like interface. Described by Meta as a platform for text-based discussions, Threads aims to foster connectivity.

Yet, this new app has sparked concerns as it collects not only personal identifiers but also sensitive data, including users’ health insights, purchase behavior, financial details, geographical location, contact lists, user-generated content, browsing history, and more. Such extensive data collection raises substantial privacy issues.

The app utilizes the data it gathers to craft intricate profiles of user preferences, which could be sold to advertisers or third-party businesses. Furthermore, this information might be exploited to influence user feeds, showcasing content designed to keep them engaged.

Based on details from Apple’s App Store, Threads will enable users to keep following their existing accounts while allowing them to retain their current usernames. It aims to be a space where diverse communities can interact through discussions covering a wide range of topics, connecting users with both their current interests and emerging trends. Instagram Recently, Twitter’s chairman, Elon Musk, implemented restrictions on tweet visibility, citing worries over extensive data scraping. He also announced that TweetDeck would become a paid service. In contrast, Meta’s Threads is marketed as a free service without limitations on how many posts a user can view.

Threads presents a formidable challenge to Twitter, potentially representing a serious threat to its dominance. Meta has a well-established history of borrowing and adapting features from other platforms, as seen with TikTok-like Reels and Snapchat-style Stories. implemented The integration of Threads with the existing Instagram ecosystem significantly boosts its potential, as it will be directly linked to millions of active accounts. Unlike new competitors, Threads leverages an already existing user base.

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The rumour about Threads was first announced in May.

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