**Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to Launch Competitor to Twitter**
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, is set to launch a new competitor to Twitter called “Threads.” According to a recent listing on Apple’s app store, the text-based social media platform will be available on Thursday. The app briefly appeared on Google’s app store for Android smartphones over the weekend before being removed. Threads will be integrated with Instagram, allowing users to post and follow others using their Instagram handles.
**Meta’s Plans for a Text-Based Social Media Network**
Meta has been considering the development of a new text-based social media network since late last year. However, the launch of Threads comes at a time when Twitter has been facing technical issues and making temporary changes that have driven users to rival platforms. Bluesky, a Twitter-like social media platform created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, recently experienced degraded performance and even paused sign-ups due to high traffic.
**Changes and Challenges at Twitter**
Twitter has made several significant changes under the leadership of Elon Musk, who took over as CEO in October. The platform revised its moderation policies, allowing previously banned users back on the site. It also introduced a paid verification service, which faced issues as some users impersonated brands and public figures, and celebrities refused to pay for verification. These disruptions have resulted in a 59% decline in Twitter’s advertising revenue as of June.
**The Need for a “Sanely-Run” Platform**
Meta saw an opportunity to enter the social media market as Twitter faced a crisis and a decline in its performance. Creators and public figures expressed interest in a platform that is well-managed and trustworthy, which led Meta’s chief product officer, Chris Cox, to highlight the need for a “sanely run” platform. In response to this demand, Threads aims to provide a reliable and trusted alternative to Twitter.
**Twitter’s Technical Issues**
Over the weekend, Twitter encountered technical issues and error messages due to deliberate changes made to the platform. Twitter started restricting access to posts for users who were not logged into their Twitter accounts, which was previously allowed. Elon Musk confirmed that this change was intentional and temporary, put in place to counteract excessive data scraping. In addition, Twitter imposed temporary limits on the number of posts users could view per day to address data scraping and system manipulation concerns.
**The Fight Between Musk and Zuckerberg**
Following Chris Cox’s statement about the need for a “sanely-run” platform, Elon Musk challenged Mark Zuckerberg to a “cage match.” While details about the fight have not been revealed, Zuckerberg has accepted Musk’s offer.
In conclusion, Mark Zuckerberg is poised to launch Threads, a new text-based social media platform that will compete with Twitter. This move comes at a time when Twitter is facing technical issues and temporary changes. Meta aims to provide a trustworthy and well-managed alternative to Twitter with Threads. Furthermore, Elon Musk’s leadership at Twitter has resulted in various changes, some of which have affected the platform’s performance and revenue. Musk and Zuckerberg’s rivalry has escalated to the challenge of a “cage match,” which Zuckerberg has accepted.
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