Within a mere five days since its launch, Instagram’s Threads app has amassed more than 100 million users, outstripping all previous records in the realm of consumer apps, as reported by several data tracking websites. This new app has achieved what AI tool ChatGPT took two months to do, and TikTok needed nine months. Even Instagram took two and a half years after its 2010 debut to accomplish such a feat.
Threads, currently available on both Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries, excludes Europe due to the parent company Meta’s uncertainty about European Union’s data privacy regulations. The app’s success is bolstered by its linkage to Instagram, which boasts over a billion regular users.
Meanwhile, Twitter, with an estimated 200 million regular users, faces technical hiccups and user dissatisfaction under Elon Musk’s leadership. The Tesla and SpaceX boss bought Twitter last year, leading to significant staff layoffs and the introduction of charges for services previously free, thereby alienating many users.
Rival platforms to Twitter have emerged but lack the scalability to challenge the social media giant. However, Threads, with its record-breaking growth and backing of Instagram’s user base, shows potential to pose a substantial challenge. Online data service Quiver Quantitative confirms that Threads surpassed the 100 million user mark at 0700 GMT on Monday.
The intense competition has sparked legal threats from Musk, who accused Meta of intellectual property theft, allegations that Meta categorically denies. As the rivalry between Musk and Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg escalates, the world watches with bated breath.
This news is based on an article on malaymail.com.
