Threads promises to fix ’app trap’ that leaves users unable to quit – and reveals temporary loophole to beat the rule
META bosses have revealed plans to solve one of the biggest gripes users have with its new Threads app.
The popular Twitter rival has already attracted more than 40million members – but not everyone is happy.
One of the most common complaints is linked to deleting your Threads account.
If you choose to delete your Threads profile, it also means trashing your Instagram account too.
That’s because Threads is an offshoot of Instagram – so the accounts are linked.
Now chiefs at Meta are vowing to to work on a fix for the app problem.
Adam Mosseri, who heads up Instagram at Meta, posted to Threads about the issue.
“I’ve been getting some questions about deleting your account,” Mosseri explained.
Mosseri continued: “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.”
Until that happens, you won’t be able to delete your Threads profile without killing the connected Instagram account.
In the meantime, Mosseri suggested a workaround to help.
“To clarify, you can deactivate your Threads account, which hides your Threads profile and content,” Mosseri said.
He went on: “You can set your profile to private, and you can delete individual threads posts – all without deleting your Instagram account.”
What is Meta’s Threads app?
Meta’s Threads app is described to be a “text-based conversation app” according to Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
“Threads is where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today to what’ll be trending tomorrow,” the app’s description reads.
The app is linked to Instagram, but offers Twitter-like microblogging.
Users are allowed to post up to 500 characters of text and up to five minutes of video and links, as well as pictures.
The app is linked directly to Instagram – and lets you import your profile and friends list.
This week, Twitter – owned by Elon Musk – threatened Meta with a lawsuit for its “copycat” Threads app.
It accused Meta of “systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property”.
The letter claims that Meta hired dozens of former Twitter employees who had access to confidential information, according to Semafor.
Twitter lawyers also describe Threads as a “copycat app” according to the report, and warn that Meta is “in violation of both state and federal law”.
Tesla boss Elon Musk bought Twitter on October 27, 2022 for $44billion, and held CEO position until he was replaced in June by former NBC exec Linda Yaccarino.
Meta reportedly came up with the idea for Threads in November 2022, according to the New York Times – before beginning work on the project in January this year.
Facebook founder Zuckerberg posted his first tweet on Twitter in 11 years, sharing a popular Spider-Man meme just as Threads was launched.
The not-so-subtle meme plainly jokes that Twitter and Threads are similar.
Separately, Musk replied with a laughing emoji to a tweet that reads: “Meta’s new app was built entirely using this keyboard.”
The tweet includes an image of a keyboard with three keys – CTRL, C, V – which are used to copy and paste on a Windows PC.