Meta’s Twitter Rival Threads Launches Tomorrow, But Meta Accidentally Goes Live
Meta is set to launch its text-based Twitter rival Threads tomorrow. However, Meta briefly made the platform live on the web before pulling the links. During that time, users could already read posts from existing users on the web without an account (something that is currently not possible on Twitter anymore).
Online social networking giant, Meta, is all set to launch its new text-based Twitter alternative called Threads. However, in a minor misstep, the company briefly made the platform live on the web before quickly removing access. During the short-lived period when it was live, users could already browse and read posts from existing users on the web without requiring an account. This is an intriguing feature considering Twitter’s current limitations, which does not allow users to access posts without an account.
Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, revealed that ActivityPub support will not be available at launch. ActivityPub is a protocol used to post on decentralized networks like Mastodon. Nevertheless, Meta’s long-term plan includes allowing interactions with other fediverse servers in the future.
“Soon, you’ll be able to follow and interact with people on other fediverse platforms, such as Mastodon. They can also find people on Threads using full usernames, such as @[email protected],” said Mosseri.
Mosseri also acknowledged that the Threads team was unable to complete the work required to support fediverse at launch.
“We’re committed to building support for ActivityPub, the protocol behind Mastodon, into this app. We weren’t able to finish it for launch given a number of complications that come along with a decentralized network, but it’s coming,” Mosseri said.
He also highlighted the significance of ActivityPub support, stating, “If you’re wondering why this matters, here’s a reason: you may one day end up leaving Threads, or, hopefully not, end up de-platformed. If that ever happens, you should be able to take your audience with you to another server. Being open can enable that.”
Notable figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, Adam Mosseri, YouTuber iJustine, and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, along with brands like Netflix, have already started posting on the platform. These accounts already have a significant following, suggesting a substantial user base on the Threads app.
Currently, users can only view posts and profiles, as well as share links to those posts. One interesting feature of the site is that clicking on the Threads icon at the top can change the theme from light to dark or vice versa.
Moreover, Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced that users will have the ability to decide who can reply to their posts. They can choose from options such as allowing replies from everyone, from profiles they follow, or only mentioned accounts in the post.
However, even though Threads is launching tomorrow, it won’t be available in the European Union due to privacy concerns, according to Ireland’s data regulator. Users on other platforms have already expressed concerns about the amount of data being collected by the Threads app based on the data labels on the App Store.
