Instagram’s new app, Threads, launched today and has gotten over 30million downloads and counting.
The app came under fire few hours into the frenzy for questionable limitations it had stated for using the app which is wholly integrated with Instagram. While this integration has its benefits like migrating your Instagram stats and helping with a healthy profile, it has also given rise to some accompanying issues. We break them down below.
- Threads has been criticized for not warning users of the inability to delete their Threads profile without affecting their Instagram account. In response, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, took to Threads to address these concerns saying, “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 automatically blocks accounts that you have already blocked on Instagram which many find seamless. However, there have been reports of glitches when it comes to private accounts. Some users report that individuals have gained access to their private Instagram accounts after setting up a Threads profile.
- There are worries about how Threads handles violation of its community guidelines. In 5(1) and (2) of the Threads Terms of Use, the company says it can terminate access to Threads or disable a profile “to protect our community or services, or Instagram has the authority to refuse or discontinue providing the Threads Service, either partially or entirely, without giving prior notice (unless required by law), in order to protect the Instagram community or services.” This translates to automatically being suspended on Instagram if one’s Threads profile is flagged down for violating its terms of use. Unfortunately, there have been few success stories regarding the recovery of a suspended Instagram account, adding to these concerns.
With all of these concerns coming to light, I advise that everyone on Threads treads with caution as there’s no telling what dread may yet unravel about Threads.