Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is set to launch a new app called Threads, aimed at competing with Twitter. The app, described as a “text-based conversation app,” will be available in the US and UK starting this Thursday, with plans to link it to Instagram. Unlike recent changes made by Twitter, Threads will be a free service with no restrictions on the number of posts users can see. The app will track location data, purchases, and browsing history, similar to Meta’s other platforms.
In contrast, Twitter is doubling down on its subscription model. Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, recently announced that TweetDeck, the popular user dashboard, will be placed behind a paywall within 30 days. This move is part of Twitter’s efforts to drive users to sign up for its paid subscription service, Twitter Blue. Musk had previously restricted the number of tweets users could see, citing concerns over data scraping.
The rivalry between Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk has been intensifying in recent months. In June, both men agreed to a cage fight, showcasing their competitive spirit. Musk responded to a tweet about Threads by stating, “thank goodness they’re so sanely run,” further fueling the rivalry.
Early previews of the Threads app reveal a dashboard that closely resembles Twitter’s interface. This is not the first time Zuckerberg has been accused of borrowing ideas from other platforms, as Meta’s Reels is seen as a TikTok copy, and Stories bears similarities to Snapchat. Meta’s foray into the metaverse aligns with the rising popularity of virtual reality platforms, although smaller alternatives like Mastodon have gained traction since Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022.
The launch of Threads and Twitter’s focus on subscription models highlight the ongoing competition between social media giants as they strive to attract and retain users.