12th June 2023, Mumbai: Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is gearing up to launch its own dedicated app to rival Twitter, codenamed Project 92. The company has a history of adopting features from other social media platforms and incorporating them into its own suite of apps, such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. With this latest move, Meta aims to directly challenge Twitter’s dominance in the microblogging sphere.
Rumors of Meta developing a Twitter rival have circulated for years, but recent reports suggest that the project may be closer to fruition. While the official name of the app remains undisclosed, Meta executives showcased a preview of their upcoming Twitter competitor during a companywide meeting. The leaked preview, obtained by The Verge, reveals a standalone app with a Twitter-like interface and features. From the screenshot, it appears that Meta’s Twitter rival will allow users to log in using their existing Facebook or Instagram credentials, eliminating the need for a separate account. Users will be able to express their thoughts in a Twitter-style prompt, and others can interact by liking, commenting, and re-sharing with or without comments (similar to retweeting). The screenshot also suggests that users will have the ability to create threaded posts, enabling a series of connected posts.
During the meeting, Meta’s chief product officer, Chris Cox, revealed that the company has already engaged notable personalities, including Oprah and the Dalai Lama, to join the platform. Cox emphasized the importance of creating a platform that is well-managed and trustworthy, aiming to attract creators and public figures who seek a reliable distribution channel. This move by Meta seems to be a subtle critique of Twitter owner Elon Musk’s handling of the platform, known for its recent turbulence and concerns about hate speech. While Twitter faces challenges in safety and privacy, Meta’s own platforms have also faced scrutiny. Just last week, it was reported that Instagram’s algorithms were advertising the sale of illicit child-sex material, raising concerns about the effectiveness of content moderation. It remains to be seen whether Meta’s Twitter rival will prioritize safety measures and offer end-to-end encryption for direct messages.