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From Images to Words: Instagram Unleashes Threads, the Text Conversation App
Instagram, owned by Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, has boldly launched Threads, a text-based conversation app aimed at competing with Twitter, which Elon Musk controls. Available in approximately 100 countries, Threads can be downloaded from Apple’s App Store for iOS devices and Google Play for Android. With this app, Instagram users can maintain their existing username, and during setup, they have the option to follow the same accounts they already follow on Instagram.
Threads allow users to share text posts of up to 500 characters, photos, and videos (limited to 5 minutes). Currently, the app lacks a direct messaging feature, but Meta has plans to make Threads compatible with open and interoperable social networks, such as Mastodon and WordPress, through the ActivityPub protocol established by the World Wide Web Consortium.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, expressed his hope that Threads would become an open and friendly platform for conversations. He emphasized the importance of kindness in fostering a positive environment. The launch of Threads follows Meta’s announcement that Instagram had surpassed 2 billion monthly active users, though it remains uncertain how many users will migrate to Threads, as it focuses on text posts rather than the image and video content that Instagram is known for.
The data that 'may' be collected by Meta's new Twitter competitor, Threads. pic.twitter.com/jQElDDGeNd
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) July 4, 2023
Threads have implemented privacy measures for younger users, with profiles of individuals under 16 (or under 18 in some countries) set to private by default. The app also incorporates accessibility features like screen-reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, mirroring the functionality available on Instagram.
This release coincides with Twitter’s recent technical challenges. Musk claimed that Twitter imposed temporary restrictions on the number of posts users could read to combat data scraping and system manipulation.
Earlier this year, Meta hinted at the possibility of launching a separate decentralized social network for sharing text updates, catering to creators and public figures seeking a dedicated space for sharing timely updates about their interests. The debut of Threads signifies Meta’s intention to diversify its social media offerings and expand its user base beyond Instagram’s primarily visual focus.
