Meta launches a web version of Threads as it struggles to keep users on the mobile app
What is Threads?
Threads is a new microblogging app that was launched by Meta Platforms at 7pm EST, July 5 and at midnight on July 6 in the UK.
It is a text-based conversation platform which is linked to Instagram, allowing users to follow accounts they are already interested in on the photo-sharing platform.
Users can share their point of view in thread-like posts that appear very similar to tweets.
‘Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow,’ the App Store’s description reads.
‘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.’
Threads is currently available for pre-order for users aged 12+ on the App Store
The app is available in 31 different languages, including but not limited to English, Traditional Chinese, Russian and Spanish.
Location and browser history is used to make Threads function, according to Meta’s terms of service.
What does it mean for Elon Musk?
Mark Zuckerberg’s Threads came just days after Elon Musk announced a temporary cap on how many posts a user can read on Twitter.
Now, Twitter users who chalk up the $8 a month to become a verified user can view up to 6,000 daily tweets.
Unverified users can see up to 600 tweets a day, and new unverified accounts can see up to 300 tweets a day.
Threads is likely to be a huge source of competition between Zuckerberg and Musk, with the pair already agreeing to a physical fight last month.
Just before the launch, Musk appeared to take a swipe at the new platform.
‘Thank goodness they’re so sanely run,’ he wrote in response to a group of Thread screenshots.
Users will be able to share their point of view in thread-like posts that appear very similar to tweets
What personal data will Threads collect?
Threads collects 14 different types of data that may be linked to your identity.
Alongside location and browser history, this includes financial information, purchase history and even health data.
The App Store also suggests that identifiers and ‘sensitive information’ are collected too, in addition to personal contact data.
But data use can vary depending on your use of the features on offer.
A full list of its data collection is below:
- Health and Fitness
- Financial Information
- Contact Information
- User Content
- Browsing History
- Usage Data
- Diagnostics
- Purchases
- Location
- Contacts
- Search History
- Identifiers
- Sensitive Information
- Other Data
How and when can you download it?
Threads is free and is currently available for pre-order for users aged 12 and above on Apple’s App Store.
Mark Zuckerberg claims that a web version will be available soon.