Facebook owner Meta plans to create Twitter rival
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- 12 Jun 2023
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Meta has presented its staff with plans for a text-based social networking platform that aims to compete with Twitter.
This platform could enable users to follow the same accounts they are already following on Instagram, Meta's popular image-sharing application. Additionally, it may offer the possibility of migrating followers from decentralized platforms like Mastodon.
A spokesperson from Meta confirmed that the company is actively developing the platform. They stated, "We are exploring the creation of a separate decentralized social network dedicated to sharing text updates. Our goal is to provide a distinct space where creators and public figures can share timely updates about their interests."
Chris Cox, Meta's chief product officer, announced that coding for the platform is currently in progress. While no specific release date has been disclosed, the tech giant intends to launch it shortly, with some speculation suggesting a potential release by the end of June.
Screenshots, which were internally shared with employees, have surfaced online, giving a glimpse of the app's potential appearance.
This text-based network, tentatively named P92, has the potential to become a formidable competitor to Elon Musk's Twitter, surpassing both BlueSky and Mastodon. Although these platforms have attracted users disenchanted with Twitter, establishing a new social network and rebuilding a community from scratch is a challenging endeavor.
However, the Instagram community is vast, with Meta reporting approximately two billion users, significantly outnumbering Twitter's estimated 300 million user base—although these figures can no longer be independently verified.
Even if only 25% of Instagram users can be enticed to adopt P92 (which will undoubtedly have a more appealing name upon its launch), it would instantly surpass its older rival in terms of size and reach.
Meta acknowledges drawing "inspiration" from other products, although critics argue that its approach could be viewed less generously. For example, Facebook's Stories feature was modeled after Snapchat, and Instagram's Reels bear a striking resemblance to TikTok.
Twitter has faced scrutiny in recent months due to moderation issues on the platform and withdrew from the EU's voluntary disinformation code in May.
Under the leadership of Mr. Musk, Twitter moderation reportedly became more relaxed, leading critics to claim that this increased the spread of misinformation.
However, Mr. Musk asserts that since taking over in October 2022, there has been "less misinformation rather than more."
