Threads

Threads: Meta’s New Platform to Challenge Twitter and Join the Fediverse

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, has recently launched a new platform called Threads, which aims to rival Twitter and join the Fediverse, a collection of decentralised social media platforms that operate using open standards and protocols.

Threads is a text-based platform that allows users to share their thoughts, ideas and opinions with their followers, as well as engage in real-time conversations with other users. Threads also integrates with Instagram, allowing users to share their posts directly to their Stories. Users can sign up for Threads using their Instagram accounts and keep the same username, password and account name.

Threads has received a warm welcome from users, especially those who are dissatisfied with Twitter’s recent changes and limitations. The platform has attracted 10 million users in its first day of launch, including many prominent accounts such as celebrities, journalists, brands and influencers. Threads is currently the top free app on Apple’s App Store and a trending topic on Twitter.

However, Threads is not just another social media app. Meta has announced that Threads will eventually run on the Fediverse, a decentralised ecosystem of platforms that can communicate and interact with each other seamlessly. This means that users on Threads will be able to follow, reply to and share content with users on other platforms in the Fediverse, such as Mastodon, PeerTube, PixelFed and more.

The Fediverse operates on the principles of decentralisation and federation. Each platform in the Fediverse maintains its own servers, enabling users to create accounts and engage with others within their chosen platform. However, the true power of the Fediverse lies in its ability to connect different platforms, allowing users to cross-post and collaborate across multiple networks.

The Fediverse uses open standards and protocols to enable this interoperability. One of the key protocols is ActivityPub, which allows platforms to exchange information and interact with each other. Another protocol is OStatus, which enables real-time updates and notifications between platforms. There are also other protocols such as WebFinger, WebSub and Zot.

By joining the Fediverse, Threads will be able to tap into a large and diverse user base that values privacy, freedom and diversity. The Fediverse also offers more resilience and security than traditional social networks, as it is not controlled by a single entity or vulnerable to centralised attacks or censorship.

Meta’s decision to launch Threads and join the Fediverse is a bold move that could reshape the future of social networking. Threads could pose a serious threat to Twitter, which has faced backlash since Elon Musk took over the platform in October 2022 and has run it with a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach. But Twitter has become particularly vulnerable in recent days, angering users over a temporary limit on how much content users can view each day.

Threads could also benefit Meta by expanding its empire of popular apps and providing a new platform on which to sell ads. Meta has said that it will introduce ads on Threads in the future, but will respect users’ privacy and preferences. Meta has also said that it will support the development of the Fediverse by contributing to open source projects and collaborating with other platforms.

Threads is an ambitious project that could revolutionise the way people communicate online. By combining the best features of Twitter and Instagram with the advantages of the Fediverse, Threads could offer users a new option for friendly public space for conversation.

Sources:

1: Meta’s new platform Threads reaches 10 million users in challenge to …

2: Twitter User Jack Sweeney Joins Meta’s Threads For Tracking Musk’s Jet

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