'Twitter... ur in danger': How the internet reacted to the launch of Threads

Could Meta's new text-based app be the final nail in Twitter's coffin?

The app Threads from Meta is seen being downloaded on a mobile phone

Threads, the latest app by Meta, was launched on Thursday. Source: AAP / Davide Bonaldo/Sipa USA

Key Points

Meta launched its rival app to Twitter on Thursday.
Threads has largely been well-received.
There are some concerns over the platform's use of personal data.

Meta on Thursday launched

Threads, a new text-based conversation app

that has widely been described as rivalling Twitter.

The app can now be downloaded in more than 100 countries, including Australia — but it's not yet available in the European Union due to regulatory uncertainty about the microblogging platform's use of personal data.

Two million users signed up in the first two hours of Threads' launch, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said.

Could this Instagram feature stop women being sent unsolicited d**k pics?

While many users' first posts were a mixture of hellos and querying how the platform worked, others poked fun at Twitter and internet culture, and remarked at how addicted they already were to Threads.

Australian politicians also joined in the fun, with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews making reference to how he started press conferences during the pandemic.

"Everyone right to go?," he wrote.

Labor MPs, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, were among those to share and comment on the post.

A social media post from Daniel Andrews reading "Everyone right to go?"

A social media post from Anthony Albanese

Others, such as federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton, used their first Threads post to discuss more serious matters.

A social media post from Peter Dutton with a photo of him and four Indian-Australian women

Despite Threads' largely positive reception, some users suggested the novelty might quickly wear off, as it has with other social media platforms.

A social media post reading "remember when we all thoguht BeReal was cool"

While Threads shares many similarities with Twitter, several users noticed features such as hashtags, trending topics, drafts, and pinned posts were noticeably missing from what Meta said was the "initial version" of the app.

Because Threads is an app-based platform, it also means posts can't be embedded on other sites, only shared.

Extra features are expected to be rolled out in further app updates.

2 min read

Published 6 July 2023 3:54pm

Updated 6 July 2023 4:03pm

By Amy Hall

Source: SBS News

Recommended for you

A silhouette of a woman sitting at a computer with her head resting on her fists

Alana was shocked when her boss shared her diagnosis in public. What does the law say?

privacy breaches

A woman with an eye patch over her right eye laying in a hospital bed.

Australian injured in alleged Israeli shooting speaks from hospital: 'I demand an investigation'

war

A split image featuring three photos of Australian brush turkeys.

They aren't 'particularly smart'. But this bird is back in a big way in some parts of Australia

birdwatching

A split image. On the left are two women seated on a couch. On the right is a man speaking.

Worse than Sydney: The renters bearing the brunt of unaffordable Perth

renting

A composite image of Penny Wong and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Wong responds to Netanyahu's ICC arrest warrant as US labels move 'outrageous'

2024 mideast wars

A close up of a hand giving an injection into an arm

We now know when a new COVID vaccine will be released. Should you get a booster?

covid-19 vaccine rollout

An ambulance outside Bangkok Hospital in Thailand.

Why methanol is a 'silent killer' — and where poisonings happen most

poisoning

A composite image of a hostel and a young woman smiling at a camera.

'Cruel loss': Melbourne teen dies after suspected methanol poisoning in Laos

alcohol