2023-07-14 12:30:00
TECH – Despite its absence in Europe, Meta’s new social network “Thread” (Facebook) exceeded 100 million users in less than five days of marketing. A remarkable performance for the fastest growing platform in history.
Meta’s new application reached 100 million users in the 180 countries where it was officially launched on Wednesday July 5th. A first success achieved without launching in the European Union (EU) due to the law on digital markets (Digital Market Act – DMA), which regulates the protection of privacy.
However, Threads poses a serious threat to Twitter’s reign beyond European borders. The battle between the two social networks promises to be long and arduous. Just like the confrontation between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, which has only just begun.
Threads absent en Europe
While there are mechanisms to test Threads, European users cannot download the app or officially register. The main reason lies in the stricter privacy rules in the EU than in most other countries. The law prohibiting the transmission of data between social media platforms.
During an interview with the New York Times, Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, attributed the postponement to a number of issues, including the merging of personal data between Meta’s various products. The company must ensure compliance with regulations before officially launching the social network in member countries, which would require it to modify certain Threads functionalities.
Although standalone, the app imports personal data from Instagram. On its US version, Threads users are told that it will collect a wide range of their data: health and financial information, browsing history, location, purchases, contacts, search history and sensitive information. Advertising information would also be collected on Instagram.
Threads vs. Twitter
After Meta unveiled its new social network to the world, Elon Musk had only a few words for the one who threatens to take a big share of his market. “It is infinitely better to be attacked by strangers on Twitter, than to wallow in the false happiness that hides the pain of Instagram”wrote the tycoon to throw a dart at Meta’s new tool.
Elon Musk’s attorney, Alex Spiro, claims Meta hired dozens of former Twitter employees who gained access to confidential information and other secrets. The lawyer claims that Threads was developed by this group for the sole purpose of copying the platform they had been working on. Elon Musk referenced the lawsuit on Twitter. “Competition is a good thing, but cheating is not”he wrote.
Competition is fine, cheating is not
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2023
Meta spokesman Andy Stone, however, dismissed the claims, saying that no Threads developer had previously worked at Twitter. A special group of engineers who already have experience at Facebook and Instagram, would have been formed for the creation of the social network.
The tension between Meta and Twitter continues to grow. Many are waiting for confirmation of the rumored meeting between the owners of Twitter and Threads in the ring. Aggressiveness on the business side is also increasing.
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