It is just about a week since Meta launched Threads but the controversies and challenges surrounding it are through the roof. The good thing is that it got over 30 million downloads in less than 24 hours. Threads’ main aim is to compete against Twitter. People can use it just like Twitter to share text updates and join public conversations.
Controversies and challenges surrounding Threads
Quieting conservative voices
Threads faced backlash from various users. They claim that Threads is shushing conservative voices. Many people reported their threads being flagged or removed for violating the community guidelines of Meta. The guidelines prohibit incitement of violence, harassment, hate speech, and any other harmful content.
Unable to sign up
Some people have complained about being unable to sign up using their accounts on Instagram.
Hostility and harassment
Another controversy is that Threads met with hostility and harassment online from some groups and users. People have reported receiving threats, spam, abusive replies, and trolling from other Threads users.
Offensive and negative content
Many groups even organized campaigns to swamp Threads with offensive or negative content like gore, pornography, or propaganda.
Trade secrets theft allegation by Twitter
The biggest controversy of all is the threat from Twitter to sue Meta alleging trade secrets theft. Twitter lawyer, Alex Spiro, wrote to Mark Zuckerberg accusing Meta of employing former many Twitter staffs who “had and continue to have access to Twitter’s trade secrets and other highly confidential information.”
Spiro mentioned, “Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information,”in the letter.
Suggested read: Twitter Alleges Trade Secrets Theft Threatening to Charge Meta Over Threads
Other uncertainties and risks
Meta is under scrutiny from lawmakers and regulators for its influence and dominance across the social media scene. On top of that, the company is fielding criticism from activists and users for its management of misinformation, security, content moderation, and privacy issues. So much so, Threads is such a privacy nightmare that it could not be launched in the EU yet.
Threads is created by the team of Instagram. It connects to an Instagram user’s account automatically. Despite the controversies and challenges, Threads could soar high leveraging Instagram’s user base, content creation tools, and brand recognition. Threads certainly has the advantage of Meta itself for its expertise and resources in creating social media products.
