Turns out that the rumour machine was right all along and Facebook and Instagram now have a new a baby called Threads.The behemoth that is Meta has described Threads as a "standalone decentralised social network for sharing text updates". Their plan was to “create a separate space where creators and public figures can share timely updates".
The plan for the new Meta application, originally given the somewhat drab codename "P92", is that it will allow users of Facebook and Instagram to login using their existing credentials.
Make no mistake. This isn't just another add-on like the Notes feature added to Instagram last year. This is a full blown, fully featured Twitter alternative and it's one that many celebs and many users generally will welcome with open arms.
The timing of the launch of Threads seems to be well calculated with many of Twitter's most prolifically followed users becoming increasing frustrated with the Elon Musk owned platform. There's also a rumour that Oprah Winfrey, who has more than 42 million followers on Twitter, and the Dalai Lama, who has nearly 19 million, could become Threads users.
All of which will add to the annoyance of Twitter who have already threatened to sue Meta over their new platform.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg placed himself at the forefront of the new platform's launch. “Let’s do this,” he wrote on Wednesday in a post welcoming users to the site. “Welcome to Threads. I think the world needs this kind of friendly community,” Zuckerberg said in a separate post on Instagram. He later informed his followers that Threads attracted more than 10 million sign ups in the first seven hours post launch.
Interestingly the app will initially appear in more than 100 countries including the UK and the US. However, it won't be offered to European users as negotiations continue between Meta and regulators over data sharing.
