Mumbai: Instagram is all set to launch a new app called “Threads”, according to a listing on Apple Inc.’s App Store. The app will function similarly to Twitter, with text-based posts that can be liked, commented on and shared, according to examples of screenshots on the App Store listing. People will be able to follow the accounts they follow on Instagram and keep their same user name

With the launch, Meta is seeking to take advantage of Twitter’s problems since the social media service was taken over last year by Elon Musk. Among the issues that have angered users, and spurred them to seek alternative platforms, are Twitter’s loosening content moderation policies, and requiring a monthly subscription fee to be labeled as an authentic account.

The app is available for pre-order on Thursday, 6 July 2023. Threads is described as “where communities come together to discuss everything from the topics you care about today, to what’ll be trending tomorrow”.