Meta Launches Threads to Take on Twitter

[TheLostSwede]

Mark Zuckerberg just announced the initial version of Threads, an app built by the Instagram team for sharing with text. Whether you're a creator or a casual poster, Threads offers a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations. We are working toward making Threads compatible with the open, interoperable social networks that we believe can shape the future of the internet.

Instagram is where billions of people around the world connect over photos and videos. Our vision with Threads is to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas. Just like on Instagram, with Threads you can follow and connect with friends and creators who share your interests - including the people you follow on Instagram and beyond. And you can use our existing suite of safety and user controls.




Join the Conversation from Instagram
It's easy to get started with Threads: simply use your Instagram account to log in. Your Instagram username and verification will carry over, with the option to customize your profile specifically for Threads.

Everyone who is under 16 (or under 18 in certain countries) will be defaulted into a private profile when they join Threads. You can choose to follow the same accounts you do on Instagram, and find more people who care about the same things you do. The core accessibility features available on Instagram today, such as screen reader support and AI-generated image descriptions, are also enabled on Threads.

Your feed on Threads includes threads posted by people you follow, and recommended content from new creators you haven't discovered yet. Posts can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos, and videos up to 5 minutes in length. You can easily share a Threads post to your Instagram story, or share your post as a link on any other platform you choose.

Tune Out the Noise
We built Threads with tools to enable positive, productive conversations. You can control who can mention you or reply to you within Threads. Like on Instagram, you can add hidden words to filter out replies to your threads that contain specific words. You can unfollow, block, restrict or report a profile on Threads by tapping the three-dot menu, and any accounts you've blocked on Instagram will automatically be blocked on Threads.

As with all our products, we're taking safety seriously, and we'll enforce Instagram's Community Guidelines on content and interactions in the app. Since 2016 we've invested more than $16 billion in building up the teams and technologies needed to protect our users, and we remain focused on advancing our industry-leading integrity efforts and investments to protect our community.

Compatible with Interoperable Networks
Soon, we are planning to make Threads compatible with ActivityPub, the open social networking protocol established by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), the body responsible for the open standards that power the modern web. This would make Threads interoperable with other apps that also support the ActivityPub protocol, such as Mastodon and WordPress - allowing new types of connections that are simply not possible on most social apps today. Other platforms including Tumblr have shared plans to support the ActivityPub protocol in the future.

We're committed to giving you more control over your audience on Threads - our plan is to work with ActivityPub to provide you the option to stop using Threads and transfer your content to another service. Our vision is that people using compatible apps will be able to follow and interact with people on Threads without having a Threads account, and vice versa, ushering in a new era of diverse and interconnected networks. If you have a public profile on Threads, this means your posts would be accessible from other apps, allowing you to reach new people with no added effort. If you have a private profile, you'd be able to approve users on Threads who want to follow you and interact with your content, similar to your experience on Instagram.

The benefits of open social networking protocols go well beyond the ways people can follow each other. Developers can build new types of features and user experiences that can easily plug into other open social networks, accelerating the pace of innovation and experimentation. Each compatible app can set its own community standards and content moderation policies, meaning people have the freedom to choose spaces that align with their values. We believe this decentralized approach, similar to the protocols governing email and the web itself, will play an important role in the future of online platforms.

Threads is Meta's first app envisioned to be compatible with an open social networking protocol - we hope that by joining this fast-growing ecosystem of interoperable services, Threads will help people find their community, no matter what app they use.

What's Next
We're rolling out Threads today in more than 100 countries for iOS and Android, and people in those countries can download the app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

In addition to working toward making Threads compatible with the ActivityPub protocol, soon we'll be adding a number of new features to help you continue to discover threads and creators you're interested in, including improved recommendations in feed and a more robust search function that makes it easier to follow topics and trends in real time.

We're excited to hear your feedback as we work to build new features and introduce fun new ways to connect on the app.

[Editor's note: Threads is currently not available in the EU due to Meta waiting for upcoming privacy legislation from the union.]

View at TechPowerUp Main Site | Source

 

[hellrazor]

It can't be worse, can it?

Can it?

 

[BArms]

Just what the world needed, a heavily censored and probably highly dangerous (to your children's mental health) social media platform launching another heavily censored product to push pre-approved ads to people who are only allowed to think about pre-approved ideas. Fun!

 

[Why_Me]

This is going to be censored to death as in a echo chamber.

 

[Shihab]

Before 2023, I would've automatically called this thing DOA. But considering the sh*tshow Musk has turned Twitter into, I'm inclined to think Meta actually has a chance here.

 

[Why_Me]

Before 2023, I would've automatically called this thing DOA. But considering the sh*tshow Musk has turned Twitter into, I'm inclined to think Meta actually has a chance here.

META will be a dream come true for those who like their news and conversations one sided. It will be just like that pic in the OP ... the deep discussions will be about everyone's idea of their favorite pizza. Anything heavier than that will get nuked.

 

[Chaitanya]

It can't be worse, can it?

Can it?

If you are using one of their products(Instagram, FB, or Whatsapp) then they already have your data so not much worse if you join one more of their platforms.

 

[the54thvoid]

There's a difference between having open conversations and people trying to spread false narratives. I doubt this platform will offer any safety mechanisms against the spread of misinformation (from any front). Twitter sucked at that, and it sucks even more now. Social media is not news media. It's (as everybody knows) a marketing tool. Folks know that, right?

Frankly, anybody that uses social media as a source of fact needs to go back to the classroom and read some books.

 

[Why_Me]

There's a difference between having open conversations and people trying to spread false narratives. I doubt this platform will offer any safety mechanisms against the spread of misinformation (from any front). Twitter sucked at that, and it sucks even more now. Social media is not news media. It's (as everybody knows) a marketing tool. Folks know that, right?

Frankly, anybody that uses social media as a source of fact needs to go back to the classroom and read some books.

Twitter is a great news source hence the reason pretty much all the major news outlets have twitter accounts. As far as 'safety mechanisms' .. that sounds like 'ban anything I don't agree with'. Believe it or not real debates / discussions where there's actually two sides going at it is a good thing. Living in an echo chamber is not so good ... just ask the people who lived in former Soviet Bloc countries about who determines 'misinformation'.

 

[chrcoluk]

Already announced the data harvesting they going to do with it, fair play they sensed a chance and have jumped on it, nice idea to integrate instagram user base so dont need to build one up.

 

[the54thvoid]

Twitter is a great news source hence the reason pretty much all the major news outlets have twitter accounts. As far as 'safety mechanisms' .. that sounds like 'ban anything I don't agree with'. Believe it or not real debates / discussions where there's actually two sides going at it is a good thing. Living in an echo chamber is not so good ... just ask the people who lived in former Soviet Bloc countries about who determines 'misinformation'.

I don't need to look at the former soviet states to see modern day examples of echo-chambers. An echo chamber is just a gathering of minds parroting the same mantra. It happens on Twitter all the time. As for news source? Sure, Twitter has news from news outlets, but it's also got a lot of bad news from armchair bandits (on both sides). Again, echo-chambers - people tune in to what they want to hear. Free speech - sure. Though it seems as if those that parrot free speech often seem to rally against other peoples right to express themselves when those freedoms differ from their own.

Anyway - meh.

 

[Vayra86]

Twitter is a great news source hence the reason pretty much all the major news outlets have twitter accounts. As far as 'safety mechanisms' .. that sounds like 'ban anything I don't agree with'. Believe it or not real debates / discussions where there's actually two sides going at it is a good thing. Living in an echo chamber is not so good ... just ask the people who lived in former Soviet Bloc countries about who determines 'misinformation'.

The problem is that Twitter is really both. And it reinforces one another, so we get polarised 'threads' that lead nowhere except to further escalation. And with that, the truth is buried somewhere nobody can find it anymore.

Simply put, the algorithms that drive these services have no deescalation button, because that would kill the revenue streams.
People really don't need 'this voice' at all. It harms more than it solves. There is a massive paradox happening in front of our eyes, driven by infinite information streams to generate ad revenue.

This was and is about money, everything else is secondary.

 

[Why_Me]

The problem is that Twitter is really both. And it reinforces one another, so we get polarised 'threads' that lead nowhere except to further escalation. And with that, the truth is buried somewhere nobody can find it anymore.

Simply put, the algorithms that drive these services have no deescalation button, because that would kill the revenue streams.
People really don't need 'this voice' at all. It harms more than it solves. There is a massive paradox happening in front of our eyes, driven by infinite information streams to generate ad revenue.

This was and is about money, everything else is secondary.

There's more positive than negative in regards to Twitter imo now that Musk has taken over. Live interviews, debates / discussions are now broadcasted on Twitter without government interference and it's refreshing. That and some of the biggest news stories were broke on Twitter such as the Twitter email dump. Once Twitter TV gets going it's going to get even better.

Elon Musk says Twitter video app for smart TVs is 'coming'

A Twitter video app for smart TVs is in the social media company's plans, owner Elon Musk said in a tweet on Saturday, a move that would be in line with the company's new plans to focus on growing video content on the platform.

www.reuters.com

 

[Vayra86]

There's more positive than negative in regards to Twitter imo now that Musk has taken over. Live interviews, debates / discussions are now broadcasted on Twitter without government interference and it's refreshing. That and some of the biggest news stories were broke on Twitter such as the Twitter email dump. Once Twitter TV gets going it's going to get even better.

Elon Musk says Twitter video app for smart TVs is 'coming'

A Twitter video app for smart TVs is in the social media company's plans, owner Elon Musk said in a tweet on Saturday, a move that would be in line with the company's new plans to focus on growing video content on the platform.

www.reuters.com

We'll agree to disagree, but when you say 'biggest news stories broke on Twitter 'such as the Twitter email dump'...

Pfew. You're in deep. You really don't see the problem with what you just said? Or with the general stance that it matters for a social medium who the CEO is? Mind. Blown. Twitter was a cesspool, and continues to be one.

 

[Why_Me]

We'll agree to disagree, but when you say 'biggest news stories broke on Twitter 'such as the Twitter email dump'...

Pfew. You're in deep. You really don't see the problem with what you just said? Or with the general stance that it matters for a social medium who the CEO is? Mind. Blown. Twitter was a cesspool, and continues to be one.

Not sure what the negative to the email dump was / is. It was just that .. Musk handed over thousands of Twitter execs company emails to a respectable journalist who in turn allowed anyone and everyone with a Twitter account to view said emails. We call that 'transparency' and transparency is a good thing. Honestly it boggles my mind when I hear people come out against transparency.

 

[InVasMani]

I want a hot Italian sausage with pineapple on my pizza. A sweet and spicy battle in every bite.

 

[Bwaze]

I really don't see the point in this. Facebook has become more and more useless over the years - pushing commercials and paid content in your feed, and hiding posts from friends and pages you really want to follow.

Why would this be any different?

 

[kondamin]

I hope it never launches in the eu And what’s app gets split from meta.

 

[the54thvoid]

I want a hot Italian sausage with pineapple on my pizza. A sweet and spicy battle in every bite.

Absolutely not. I'll refer you to the Italian consulate for such culinary blasphemy. You'll repent with a margherita, the OG pizza.

See, these are the things we should read about on social media - normal folks being idiots.

 

[Ownedtbh]

So, now they are taking the internet word „thread“ away. Right now everyone knows what making a „thread“ mean.
Later people will missunderstand if making a thread means in a forum, or on facebooks twitter plattform.

same as with Discord. When you ask someone „dc?“ it usally meant before that someone has a disconnect and not nowdays that someone asks you to join Discord to talk.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

Turns out you can't install Threads unless you already have an Instagram account.

 

[Why_Me]

I want a hot Italian sausage with pineapple on my pizza. A sweet and spicy battle in every bite.

You sir know your pizza ^^

 

[ZoneDymo]

Twitter is a great news source hence the reason pretty much all the major news outlets have twitter accounts. As far as 'safety mechanisms' .. that sounds like 'ban anything I don't agree with'. Believe it or not real debates / discussions where there's actually two sides going at it is a good thing. Living in an echo chamber is not so good ... just ask the people who lived in former Soviet Bloc countries about who determines 'misinformation'.

The problem is that one side tends to just make up nonsense that the otherside then has to put actually effort into to debunk, only for the one side to come up with more nonsense.
Its not a debate with actual standpoints and arguments, its just fearmongering to get what they want which is more power and money, thats it.

Not sure what the negative to the email dump was / is. It was just that .. Musk handed over thousands of Twitter execs company emails to a respectable journalist who in turn allowed anyone and everyone with a Twitter account to view said emails. We call that 'transparency' and transparency is a good thing. Honestly it boggles my mind when I hear people come out against transparency.

He handed over emails for everyone to read and that is what you call transparency?
sooo can you give me all your accounts and passwords then so I can see into that?

or was it all just work related stuff? and surely you have read all of that so can you tell me what wisdom you gathered from it?

and who was this "respectable journalist" and what makes them respectable?

 

[Why_Me]

The problem is that one side tends to just make up nonsense that the otherside then has to put actually effort into to debunk, only for the one side to come up with more nonsense.
Its not a debate with actual standpoints and arguments, its just fearmongering to get what they want which is more power and money, thats it.

Usually in a debate .. whether it be on twitter or a message board there's links provided to help prove a point. I bookmark my go-to links so that I have them when I need them. Same thing happens on this board in regards to tech. A poster might say for example such and such cpu is pure crap and then someone else will reply to said poster with a review in order to make their point. The 4090 adapter comes to mind. That's an ongoing battle on message boards such as this one.

He handed over emails for everyone to read and that is what you call transparency?
sooo can you give me all your accounts and passwords then so I can see into that?

or was it all just work related stuff? and surely you have read all of that so can you tell me what wisdom you gathered from it?

and who was this "respectable journalist" and what makes them respectable?

Musk gave a journalist thousands of company emails and said journalist in return gave access to anyone and everyone to those emails so that they could see for themselves what twitter had been up to. The journalist who happens to be a two time Pulitzer Prize winner (Matt Taibbi) worked with another journalist (Michael Shellenberger) on writing a ten part series on said emails seeing how those emails showed government collusion with twitter execs on censoring things the govt. didn't like as in didn't push the agenda they wanted. This led to a Congressional Hearing where former twitter execs and the two journalist were called to testify. That's what transparency is all about.

 

[the54thvoid]

Unfortunately, people often use YT'ers, or social media 'personalities' as points of reference. I mean, there have been those that spout pure bile and lies which has had far reaching consequences. Also, (and I've seen it on TPU plenty of times), in the face of an overwhelming consensus of experts, all it takes is someone to post a sensational counter and use limited and selective (out-of-context) data to sell the point.

Case in point: a few years back, some guy posted a paper about 'X' (I'm not mentioning what 'X' was). It ran counter to all the available data. But I checked out the 'scientific paper' the guy had linked to back his exceptionally off-base claim. The paper they quoted was from a journal that doesn't do peer review (makes it practically irrelevant - peer review is essential for scientific critique). Still, I looked at the paper. It was pretty wild, but still, it looked like science - it used all the buzzwords. I then dug further, and researched the lead author. Another paper they had submitted (which was later removed by the journal, presumably as soon as they saw it) claimed proof of a massive black hole at the centre of the earth. The paper was from a wack job scientist. A literal mad scientist. But someone was using it to claim proof of their point above the overwhelming consensus of peer-reviewed data.

What then often follows, is that the person whose point is disproven (at least by any emperical metric), claims a conspiracy. I mean, what the hell do you say to reply to that. Debate is fine, but debate itself is a skill using reason and logic to win an argument. Also, this is really important - the skill to debate is not to tell the entire truth, but to win the debate. A skilled speaker can make people believe the weirdest shit. And with a partisan audience of triggered individuals, it's easy to spread lies.

So again, social media is better for talking about pizza, not politics. I call a debate. And no, nobody gets to say we're having a mass debate, because that sounds rude.