Threads is a new social media app from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The app is designed to be a more intimate and private way to connect with your close friends and family. However, some privacy concerns have been raised about the app.
One of the main concerns is that Threads collects a lot of personal data. The app collects data about your contacts, location, browsing history, and even your health information. This data could be used to track your movements, target you with ads, or even identify you if you are ever in danger.
Another concern is that Threads does not have strong privacy settings. By default, the app shares your location with your friends, and you cannot control who can see your browsing history. This could make you vulnerable to stalking or harassment.
In response to these concerns, Meta has implemented some safety measures in Threads. The app now has a “privacy shield” feature that allows you to hide your location and browsing history from your friends. You can also control who can mention or reply to you.
However, some privacy experts believe that these measures are not enough. They argue that Threads still collects too much personal data, and that the privacy settings are not strong enough.
As a result of these concerns, Threads is not available in the European Union, which has strict data privacy regulations. Meta is working on expanding the app’s availability, but it faces regulatory uncertainty in Europe.
Overall, Threads is a new social media app with a lot of potential. However, there are some serious privacy concerns that need to be addressed before the app can be widely adopted.
Here are some additional privacy concerns about Threads:
- The app may collect data about your phone’s microphone and camera, even when you are not using the app.
- The app may share your data with third-party advertisers.
- The app may not be fully secured yet, and your data could be hacked or stolen.
Here are some safety measures you can take to protect your privacy when using Threads:
- Read the app’s privacy policy carefully and understand what data the app collects.
- Only share personal information with people you trust.
- Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
- Be careful about what you post on the app.
If you are concerned about your privacy, you may want to consider the safety precautions advised. Any new platform has its weaknesses. However, I personally applaud Meta for Threads, a timely app released with features that competes head-on with the number one micro-blogging platform: Twitter.
-Rushen Wickramaratne
