In a surprising move on July 6th, Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta launched Threads, an application developed by the ingenious team behind Instagram. This new app aims to revolutionize the way we share messages in text and engage in public conversations, directly taking on the popular social media platform Twitter. Adam Mosseri, the chief of Instagram, took to his blog to confirm the much-anticipated launch, expressing his excitement about creating an open and civil space for conversations through this brand-new social platform for media. What’s even more exciting is that Threads is now readily available on iOS and Android devices, accessible across a staggering 100 countries.
Threads And Instagram Privacy
According to a blog post from Instagram, Threads is an application that seamlessly integrates into the Instagram platform, offering a streamlined user experience. Existing Instagram account holders can effortlessly sign up for their own Threads profile by simply logging in with their Instagram credentials. The beauty of this integration is that once signed up, users will automatically follow all the accounts they already follow on Instagram, ensuring a seamless transition. With a whopping five million users already jumping on the Threads bandwagon, it’s clear that this new application is captivating the attention of Instagram users worldwide.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Contrary to what some might assume, having a private Instagram account doesn’t automatically make an individual’s Threads profile public. The Guardian sheds light on this matter, revealing that users can maintain their personal Instagram account as private to safeguard their personal interests while simultaneously keeping their Threads profile open to the public. Additionally, individuals have the freedom to fine-tune their privacy settings according to their preferences, allowing them to decide who can respond to their messages on the app.
So, in a nutshell, it’s entirely possible for an Instagram user with a private account to maintain their privacy while keeping their account open to the public. Alternatively, they can choose to have both their Threads and Instagram accounts private, tailoring their settings to suit their preferences. When it comes to privacy settings, Threads empowers users to control who can view the content they share, putting them firmly in the driver’s seat.
For those with private Threads profiles, any follow requests will be neatly listed in the “Activity” section, giving users the power to either approve or deny them at their discretion. Should an individual no longer wish to see posts from an account they were previously following on Threads before making their profile private, they have the option to remove them from their follower list or even block them, effectively eliminating their presence.
Now, let’s dive into the realm of public Threads accounts. These accounts will show up in search results and may even be suggested to others who are avid followers. If the mentioned settings remain unaltered, anyone using Threads can mention a public account. In the event that a profile of a public Thread appears in search results, only the profile’s essential information, including name, username, profile picture, bio, and links, will be displayed.
However, it’s crucial to note that while Meta allows users to adjust their privacy settings for both their Facebook and Threads accounts according to their preferences, there’s a special rule for users younger than 16 years old. Similar to Instagram’s policy, Threads defaults to “private” for users under 16, granting them the choice to maintain their privacy or switch to a public profile, depending on their comfort level.
Instagram makes this crystal clear: “If you’re younger than 16 years old when you create your profile, you’ll have the option to choose between a private or public profile. By default, the private option is selected, even if you already have a public Instagram account.”
So, whether you’re an Instagram veteran or a fresh-faced Threads enthusiast, these exciting new developments are set to transform the way we connect and converse in the digital world. With Meta’s strategic launch of Threads, we can expect a surge of vibrant discussions and engaging conversations on this innovative platform. The fusion of Instagram’s familiarity with Threads’ novel approach opens up a realm of possibilities for users across the globe. It’s time to embrace the power of Threads and embark on a journey of interactive and meaningful exchanges.