Meta Platforms Inc.'s latest offering, Threads, has emerged as a tough challenger to Twitter, aiming to capitalize on Elon Musk's seemingly struggling social media platform.
However, early adopters of Threads are now encountering an unexpected and potentially problematic caveat.
As Android Authority reports, deleting a Threads account automatically results in the deletion of the associated Instagram account. This is undoubtedly bad news for some Instagram users opting out of the new feature.
This growth hack, deployed by Meta, could soon spark a backlash among users who could find themselves hesitant to fully commit to Threads due to the potential ramifications for their established Instagram presence.
Untying Meta's Threads
Threads, revealed by Instagram, enable users to post text and links, interact with other users' content, and carry over their Instagram follower base.
Its launch attracted over 10 million sign-ups within the first seven hours, signaling a promising start for this direct competitor to Twitter.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed his aspiration to create a public conversations app with over a billion users, a milestone Twitter has yet to achieve.
With Instagram and Facebook's history of emulating successful features from competitors, Threads marks their foray into the realm of Twitter-like functionality.
Deleting Threads = Deleting Instagram
Now, here is the unexpected catch.
Some Threads users were taken aback upon discovering that deleting their Threads account would also lead to the deletion of their entire Instagram account.
Meta's supplemental privacy policy reads, "You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account." Read: Threads Supplemental Privacy Policy
Meta's growth hack, while seemingly designed to promote engagement and user retention, could be a significant headache for users choosing to leave the Threads any time soon.
As Android Authority notes, this hidden requirement buried within the supplementary privacy policy has been criticized for lacking transparency and should have been emphasized during the sign-up process.
What's Next?
The unanticipated link between Threads and Instagram poses significant implications for users.
Deleting Threads becomes a daunting decision for individuals who have spent years building their Instagram profiles, cultivating followers, and sharing content.
Users may be forced to choose between abandoning Threads and preserving their Instagram presence or embracing Threads at the cost of their established online identity.
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Potential Workarounds
One potential solution for users wanting to try Threads without jeopardizing their Instagram account is to create a separate dummy Instagram account dedicated solely to Threads.
However, this workaround poses its own set of challenges. Users would need to painstakingly reestablish their desired follower base on Threads, and cross-posting to their primary Instagram profile would be impossible.
What's In the News
Meta's Threads app has garnered considerable attention as a potential rival to Twitter.
However, the revelation that deleting a Threads account would result in the deletion of the associated Instagram account has raised concerns and created a significant barrier to adoption. Users could struggle with the difficult choice between embracing a new platform and sacrificing their established online presence.
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