Instagram launches Threads to rival Twitter

The newly-launched Threads app aims to outrival Twitter.

Threads, which is currently not available in the European Union, lets users to post up to 500 characters and offers several features comparable to Twitter.

Threads could attract Twitter users unhappy with recent changes to the platform, according to experts.

Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the app received five million sign-ups in its first four hours.

Earlier, he said that keeping the platform "friendly... will ultimately be the key to its success".

But Twitter Chief Elon Musk responded: "It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter, than indulge in the false happiness of hide-the-pain Instagram."

When asked on Threads whether the app will be "bigger than Twitter", Zuckerberg said: "It'll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it.

He said,"Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn't nailed it. Hopefully we will."

Threads is currently accessible for download in over 100 countries, including the UK, but not in the European Union due to regulatory issues.