Twitter has faced recent criticism for implementing daily rate limits on tweets and requiring users to be logged in to view tweets. However, with Meta’s upcoming launch of Threads, dubbed as a potential Twitter competitor, Twitter is attempting to reverse at least one of these changes.
According to TechCrunch, users can now view tweets without having an account or being logged in, and tweet preview links are properly unfurling in other apps like Slack, WhatsApp, and iMessage. Former Twitter CEO Elon Musk stated that these limits were put in place to address “extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation.” He described them as a temporary emergency measure due to data being heavily scraped, which degraded service for regular users.
It has also been reported that Twitter faced limitations on its access to Google’s cloud hosting services, potentially due to unpaid bills. Web developer Sheldon Chang speculated that the site was inadvertently launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks on itself by constantly making data requests even when the site was not loading properly, which was a direct result of the login requirement.
Meanwhile, Meta is preparing to launch its Threads app on July 6, 2023. Described as a “stand-alone decentralized social network for sharing text updates,” Threads aims to provide a separate space for creators and public figures to share timely updates about their interests. The app resembles Twitter, with features such as like, comment, repost, and share buttons at the bottom of each post. It allows users to transfer their current Instagram follower list and reserve their Instagram username if they already have an account.
Meta’s Threads launch indicates its intention to compete with Twitter while targeting users who may be dissatisfied with recent policy changes and decisions made by Elon Musk. Whether Meta can successfully replace Twitter as a preferred social media platform remains to be seen.
