Meta launches Twitter rival 'Threads'
The new app is strikingly similar to Twitter but allows for longer posts
Tech giant Meta has fired the latest salvo in its fight with Twitter by launching 'Threads' a microblogging site meant to rival the Elon Musk-owned platform.
The app is available for download for Android and iOS in 100 countries, including India and is modelled on Twitter. Threads lets users log in with their Instagram account and follow the same accounts they did on Instagram. It also offers more character limits, allowing for lengthier posts that are up to 500 characters long. The app clocked five million sign-ups in its first four hours.
While it looks strikingly similar to Twitter, Threads have different nomenclature for features. Tweets are called "threads" and retweets are called "reposts."
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO, Meta Platforms when quizzed about whether Threads will out do Twitter, said: "It'll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn't nailed it. Hopefully we will."
A web version of Threads went live briefly on July 5 but was taken down later.
Reactions on Threads seem to be mixed with some praises and unenthused comments. Threads has also been critiqued for the amount of data it may use, including users health, financial and browsing data.
The launch also comes in the wake of an impending "cage fight" between Zuckerberg and Twitter owner Elon Musk.
