Threads: The Rise of the "Twitter Killer"

Remember how the internet went crazy about the possibility of a cage fight between Musk and Zuckerberg? Well - game on!

In just five days, Threads, Meta’s competitor to Twitter, has gained over 100 million users and become the fastest-growing app ever. Threads already has about a quarter of Twitter’s total monthly active user base. It’s clear this platform has the potential to be the Twitter killer, and it seems Elon Musk isn’t coping well with his rival’s success.

Twitter is now threatening to sue Meta, and Elon Musk is resorting to personal attacks, tweeting "Zuck is a cuck" and literally challenging Zuckerberg to a measuring contest. You can take a guess what he wants to measure, and it’s not followers.

However, the rise of Threads can be attributed to more than just its own appeal. It is crucial to understand the context in which Threads emerged and Elon Musk’s role in Twitter's decline.

Twitter’s decline

Elon Musk's ownership of Twitter brought about a series of controversial actions and decisions that impacted the platform. Musk, known for his unorthodox approach and outspoken nature, actively propagated far-right conspiracy theories and used his influence to tweak the algorithm in his favor. This manipulation distorted the authenticity and reliability of content and disrupted the user experience by flooding timelines with unhinged far-right content.

He made matters even worse and drastically changed Twitter's verification system. By removing the legacy verification system that provided credibility to journalists and reputable individuals, blue checks were now available for purchase. Forget credibility; now anyone can become a verified Twitter superstar for a small fee. Because who needs trust and authenticity when you can have a blue checkmark?

Naturally, Musk's antics left Twitter users scratching their heads and searching for alternatives. Suddenly, it seemed like everyone wanted a lifeboat to escape the sinking ship. And so, alternative platforms started popping up, catering to specific niches within the Twitterverse. And while those alternatives tried their best, they just couldn't quite fill the void left by the Twitter we once knew.

How did Threads come to be?

Threads presented a unique proposition that set it apart from other alternatives. Zuckerberg’s Threads had the audacity to integrate with Instagram, home to a whopping two billion people! Talk about a boost.

Twitter's appeal has always been rooted in its user base, and Musk's controversial actions pushed users away, creating an opportunity for Threads to capture the mainstream audience. The immediate access to a large user pool allowed Threads to attract users who were seeking a Twitter-like experience quickly but were unsatisfied with the current state of the platform.

Furthermore, Threads' commitment to building on the decentralized ActivityPub protocol, which enables users to transfer their followings to other social networks, added an additional layer of appeal. This decentralized approach offered users more control over their communities and presented the potential for more hands-off moderation practices, relieving companies like Meta from the burden of content moderation. This alignment with decentralized principles may have resonated with users seeking a more user-centric and transparent social media experience.?

As Threads gains momentum and users flock to its welcoming embrace, concerns about censorship and privacy start to rear their ugly heads. It's like the price you pay for a ticket on this social media rollercoaster.?

Censorship

The conservatives are at it again, accusing Meta's Threads of censorship. The focal point of their outrage is a little warning that popped up when users tried to follow Donald Trump Jr.?

Cue the gasps and dramatic music: because there is no way Donald Trump Jr. posted such things! Another cue for a sarcastic sigh. Fyi, Trump has repeatedly posted misinformation and conspiracy theories.

In his quest to appease conservatives, Mark Zuckerberg has bent over backward to make them happy. None of it worked! They're still out there, waving their flags of outrage and screaming "censorship" at the top of their lungs.

Threads, on the other hand, claims to be a friendly alternative to Twitter. A place where conversations can flow like a gentle stream and unicorns prance freely. But some skeptics out there think it's all just a ploy, another cunning move by Zuckerberg to fulfill his ambition of world domination... I mean, creating a friendlier internet.?

As long as mainstream social media platforms exist, accusations of censorship will persist among conservatives, much like viral videos of dogs sliding on floors.

Privacy issues

The bigger issue here seems to be the privacy issues that experts are raising concerns about. They warn that users need to be made aware of the extensive data collection carried out by the app. Meta has temporarily postponed Threads' launch in the European Union due to uncertainties regarding its compliance with upcoming privacy regulations.?

Critics point out that Meta has a history of privacy controversies, including improper data collection and fines for violating the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Threads collects a wide range of user data, such as health information, financial details, location, browsing history, and user engagement with posts. Combined with the data collected through Facebook, Instagram, and Meta Pixel, Threads provides a detailed map of individuals' lives.

So naturally, conversations about Threads spiked on the day of its launch, but because of the issues that arose, not everyone was psyched about the launch.

Will Threads strike the right balance between keeping things in check and giving users the freedom they crave? Only time will tell.