Mark Zuckerberg has introduced Meta’s new app, Threads, as a unique and “friendly” space for online public discourse, distinguishing it from Twitter, which is owned by Elon Musk. In his recent statement, Meta CEO Zuckerberg emphasized the company’s focus on creating a kind and welcoming environment.
However, maintaining this idealistic vision for Threads, which already boasts over 70 million users in just two days, presents its own challenges. Meta Platforms, as the owner of Facebook and Instagram, is experienced in managing the sometimes tumultuous nature of internet interactions. The company has stated that Threads will adhere to the same rules and guidelines as its other platforms, including Instagram.
Meta has also been actively using an algorithmic approach to curate content, enabling greater control over the type of content that thrives on its platforms. This strategy aims to prioritize entertainment over news. By integrating Threads with other social media services like Mastodon, Meta is engaging with news enthusiasts, politicians, and others who enjoy intellectual debates, which presents a new set of obstacles for the company.
It’s worth noting that Meta has decided not to extend its fact-checking program to Threads, as confirmed by spokesperson Christine Pai. This departure from Meta’s approach to combating misinformation on its other apps raises questions about the company’s intent. When asked for an explanation, Meta declined to comment.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, acknowledged on a New York Times podcast that Threads is more inclined towards supporting public discourse compared to Meta’s other services. However, the company aims to focus on lighter subjects such as sports, music, fashion, and design.
Despite Meta’s efforts to distance itself from controversy, immediate challenges arose shortly after Threads’ launch. Reuters observed Threads accounts discussing topics like the Illuminati and “billionaire satanists.” Users also engaged in heated debates encompassing issues ranging from gender identity to violence in the West Bank. Conservative personalities, including Donald Trump’s son, expressed concerns about censorship when labels warning of false information appeared. Meta spokespersons clarified that these labels were an error.
Meta’s next challenge lies in moderating content when it connects Threads to the “fediverse,” allowing communication between Threads users and users from non-Meta servers. Meta’s spokesperson, Christine Pai, stated that the same rules and guidelines that apply to Instagram will also apply to these users. However, researchers specializing in online media anticipate difficulties in content moderation without access to back-end user data for banned content.
Alex Stamos, director of the Stanford Internet Observatory and former head of security at Meta, acknowledging the challenges Meta may face in content moderation, mentioned that limiting the visibility of abusive accounts and imposing stricter penalties for posting illegal content like child pornography would be necessary.
Nonetheless, the interactions between Threads and other servers present additional complexities. Solomon Messing from the Center for Social Media and Politics at New York University highlighted the challenges posed by illegal content such as child exploitation, nonconsensual sexual imagery, and arms sales. The responsibility of handling such content on Threads extends beyond simply blocking it.
In other news, July is expected to bring the launch of several exciting smartphones, including the Nothing Phone 2 and the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. To learn more about these upcoming devices and other tech news, tune in to the latest episode of Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, available on various platforms including Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
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