Meta, the company responsible for Instagram and Facebook, has recently launched Threads, an app designed as an alternative to Twitter. Threads aims to provide users with a distinct platform, countering the frequent changes introduced under Elon Musk's ownership of Twitter.

The app is now available in over 100 countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan, and notable figures like Gordon Ramsay, Nick Jonas, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira have already joined. Similar to Twitter, Threads enables microblogging where users can like, repost, reply to, and quote threads. However, what sets it apart is its emphasis on text-based interactions, in contrast to Instagram's visual focus. Users can compose posts of up to 500 characters, exceeding Twitter's character limit, while also sharing links, photos, and videos up to five minutes long.

Nevertheless, concerns regarding data privacy have been raised. The privacy disclosure by Threads reveals its potential for collecting various personal information, including health records, financial data, and browsing history, among other things. Though Meta highlights efforts aimed at user safety, such as enforcing community guidelines, Jack Dorsey, Twitter's co-founder, ironically drew attention to Threads' extensive data collection practices.

Given Meta's previous experience with discontinued standalone apps, this raises doubt about the success of Threads. Furthermore, Meta's recent concentration on the metaverse, along with significant investment in virtual reality, has prompted questions about their ability to effectively manage multiple ventures simultaneously.

Although Threads may prove challenging for Elon Musk—who acquired Twitter last year and has received criticism for changes made during his ownership—it remains uncertain how it will fare in the market.

The rivalry between Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, even extends beyond digital platforms—a topic they have jokingly discussed engaging in face-offs. On the whole, Threads offers an intriguing choice for users seeking an alternative to Twitter; however, its overall impact and success remain undecided.