Threads, a new app launched on July 5 for iOS and Android, has broken records by gaining over 100 million users in less than a week. This makes it the fastest-growing app ever, surpassing the previous record holder, ChatGPT, which took two months to reach 100 million users. Before that, TikTok held the record, achieving the milestone in nine months.
Threads differentiates itself from other Twitter alternatives by leveraging users’ Instagram credentials to sign up. With 1.6 billion existing users on Instagram, this approach makes it easier for them to transition to Threads. However, it is important to note that Threads is a separate app that users must download and activate their profile on.
Mark Weinstein, social media and privacy expert and founder of MeWe, believes that Threads has a real chance of challenging Twitter’s dominance in the market. He points out that previous Twitter clones have failed to achieve mainstream success, but Threads, with its integration with Instagram and its massive user base, may have an edge. However, Weinstein also highlights the potential privacy concerns associated with Threads, as it collects a significant amount of user data for sale to advertisers.
While Threads is available in 100 countries, it does not operate in the European Union (EU), so the record-breaking user count does not include potential EU users. However, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has plans to launch Threads in the EU in the future. The reason for the delay is unclear, but it could be related to either the EU’s antitrust laws or privacy concerns surrounding the app.
Weinstein suggests that Threads, like other Meta products, will generate revenue through data harvesting and surveillance capitalism. According to Apple’s App Privacy Details, Threads collects a wide range of user data, including location, contacts, purchases, browsing history, search history, financial information, and health and fitness data.
It’s important to note that while Threads may have gained over 100 million users, this does not necessarily mean that all of them are active users. As the app continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how many of these signed-up users remain engaged and active on the platform.
In conclusion, Threads has made a remarkable entry into the social media landscape, breaking records for the fastest-growing app. With its integration with Instagram and a massive user base, it poses a potential challenge to Twitter’s dominance. However, concerns about privacy and data harvesting remain, and its delayed launch in the EU raises questions about compliance with regulations. As the app evolves and expands, its success will depend on its ability to retain and engage active users.
