If you’re rushing to switch from Twitter to Meta’s version of it, Threads – hold your horses. In case you don’t like it, you won’t be able to delete only this app. Instead, you’ll lose your Instagram account too, and there’s no way to bypass this!
[Related reading: Meta takes on Twitter with its new app “Threads”]
According to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, 10 million people signed up for Threads in the first seven hours. As TechCrunch notes, this makes Threads the fastest-growing consumer offering.
However, users started noticing that their Instagram account is deleted if they decide to leave Threads. Emily Hughes wrote on Twitter (real Twitter) that she deactivated her Threads account, “but it turns out you can’t delete your threads account without also deleting your Instagram account.”
To be fair, this is clearly stated in Instagram’s Help Center under Threads Supplemental Privacy Policy: “You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.” So, before you rush and sign up for Threads, I suggest you actually read the Privacy Policy and think about whether or not you’re ready to lose your Instagram account in case you want to leave Threads.
This is a pretty uncool move from Meta, in my opinion. It reminded me of the time when Flickr was connected to your Yahoo account, so you couldn’t delete Yahoo or you’d lose your Flickr profile too. But it was around 10 years ago, so I can’t believe that Meta is doing it now. It’s like forcing you to stay on Threads even if you change your mind.
Still, you can “hack” the system if you’re just curious about the new app (kinda). You can make a new Instagram account, use it to connect to Threads, and if you don’t like it… Well, then delete it all and just go on using your old Instagram as you have so far. Or, as Emily suggests, maybe just don’t sign up. As curious as I may be – I think I’ll just stick to the latter.
[via TechCrunch]
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