Deleting Threads Profile Requires Deleting Instagram Account
The hype around a new social media platform can be so intense that users don’t even think about the details. Some people who jumped on the Meta’s Threads bandwagon this week are already complaining about it.
Ever since Elon Musk took over Twitter, a bunch of alternative platforms have moved into the microblogging space. Hive and Mastodon are among those trying to attract disgruntled users. And, it appears that there are many disgruntled users. But when it comes to getting a massive early following, Threads is killing it. According to Mark Zuckerberg, they hit over 30 million sign-ups on Thursday morning.
Threads Policy
As word got out about Threads, so did a little tidbit in their privacy policy that caught people’s attention. The policy says, “You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.”
Threaders Sound Off
Some people who downloaded the app learned that deleting it was more complicated than they thought.
Twitter user @emilyhughes was one of them. “I deactivated my threads account already but it turns out you can’t delete your threads account *without also deleting your Instagram account* so maybe just don’t sign up!”
Others accused Zuckerburg of creating a “trap” to keep user information on Meta servers. “We can’t delete our threads account without deleting our ig?? they knew people would instantly hate it so they made it a saw trap,” we can’t delete our threads account without deleting our ig?? they knew ppl would instantly hate it so they made it a saw trap
— laurinha 🦠 (@ecto_fun) July 6, 2023" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@ecto_fun tweeted.
TechCrunch reported that all the fuss about the policy made Instagram head Adam Mosseri step in and talk about it. “To clarify, you can deactivate your Threads account, which hides your Threads profile and content, you can set your profile to private, and you can delete individual threads posts – all without deleting your Instagram account.” Mosseri explained. “Threads is powered by Instagram, so right now it’s just one account, but we’re looking into a way to delete your Threads account separately.”
Threads: Celebrities Join Threads - The 'Twitter Killer' App
Threads, the Twitter alternative created by Meta, has been officially released and gained ten million sign-ups within its first seven hours, as confirmed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The platform has already garnered significant support from various celebrities.
If you take a peek at Threads, you’ll notice that it shamelessly resembles Twitter. It’s no secret that Meta is aiming to lure users away from Elon Musk’s struggling platform. The site made its grand debut, poised to give Twitter a run for its money in a way that previous alternatives like Mastodon and Bluesky couldn’t quite achieve.
The “Twitter Killer” App
Created by the Instagram team, this fresh app offers a platform for sharing text updates and participating in public conversations. With this app, you have the freedom to create posts up to 500 characters in length, incorporating links, photos, and videos that can be up to 5 minutes long.
Since Musk assumed control of Twitter late last year, numerous Twitter users have expressed their desire for an alternative platform. Technical glitches and frequent policy changes have prompted some prominent Twitter users to seek greener pastures elsewhere.
Meta has a distinct advantage in terms of its existing user base. With over 2 billion active Instagram users worldwide, Meta aims to attract a significant portion of them to its new app. In contrast, Twitter’s active user base stands at approximately 250 million.
Zuckerberg’s hopeful
“It’ll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it,” Zuckerberg said in a Threads post. “Twitter has had the opportunity do this but hasn’t nailed it. Hopefully we will.”
The roster of celebrity names jumping on board continues to grow. Shakira, Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Kourtney Kardashian, have started accounts. So has Will Smith, and Jennifer Lopez, who have all hopped on the Threads and already have tens of thousands of followers.
Thanks to the carryover of usernames and verification from Instagram, Threads can effortlessly assemble an impressive lineup of famous faces and brands. And it’s not just Hollywood stars joining the party. Jack Harlow, Zayn Malik, Gordon Ramsay, Karlie Kloss, Liam Payne, Ellie Goulding, and even the Dalai Lama have been spotted logging on to the app.
Take a look at celebrity posts extending a warm welcome to the new app.
Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it.
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