July 6, 2023, was a day that will “tweet” in infamy. Meta has rolled out a new platform (Threads) to rival if not replace Twitter. Just overnite by Thursday morning Threads had already enrolled some 30 million users for its engaging platform. It is a text-posting site for public and private use. At least for now, it is a blend of Instagram and a Twitter-like interface. Users will have to enroll using their Instagram account and be able to text post up to 500 words, 5-minute videos, and photos. The reason a tie to Instagram is probably because users can more readily sign-up from within the platform and move their contacts and preferences over.
Elon Musk has threatened legal action against Meta referring to the misappropriation of “trade secrets” and “intellectual property.” Further Musk has accused Meta of hiring a slew of Twitter employees that were fired or “let go” and hired to work on the project. Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg denies Twitter’s former employees have been hired to work on the project.
Elon Musk since the takeover in October 2022 has been erratic with Twitter’s management process. He initially trimmed down Twitter by releasing many support staff and engineers working on the project and asking them to work long hours. He then went on to redirect the Twitter platform’s do’s and don’ts which left many confused in and out of the company. He has recently redesigned or laid down a policy that limits the number of posts on Twitter by the user. All of which have caused consternation within the Twitter ranks.