Threads for Instagram: Facebook launches a new Snapchat-like app

Threads is Instagram's answer to Snapchat. Facebook's photo and video-sharing social networking platform Instagram has announced a new 'camera-first' messaging app for users called Threads. The app aims to help users to stay connected to their close friends. Last month, The Verge reported Facebook was developing a new app called Threads to help users stay connected with their 'closest friends.' Threads for Android and iOS is rolling out globally today.

New Instagram Threads app

The purpose of Threads for Instagram is pretty simple: Message only your close friends. Threads allows users to share photos, videos, ephemeral stories and messages with their close friends on Instagram, much like Snapchat. Instagram users will se a dedicated inbox and notifications for Threads. We will try it out ourselves but meanwhile, let's talk a bit about what Facebook is trying to achieve with their new, standalone app for Instagram.

'Threads' could very well be a part of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's privacy vision and his plans for the pivot to a more private and secure social network. Earlier, Zuckerberg outlined his vision for Facebook to offer encrypted and unified communication experience across its communication platforms including WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram Direct. As expected, yes, Threads is indeed a companion app to Instagram. Ironically, the Threads app appears to act more like Snapchat and less like Instagram itself.

Does Facebook want to limit Instagram to your 'close friends'? Maybe

Previously, Zuckerberg, in his privacy vision, had proposed a shift to private and encrypted communication services where "messages and content won't stick around forever." Zuckerberg had said:

"I believe the future of communication will increasingly shift to private, encrypted services where people can be confident what they say to each other stays secure and their messages and content won't stick around forever. This is the future I hope we will help bring about."

The concept of ephemeral messaging is not new, thanks to Snapchat. What's more, Facebook appears to be losing its popularity among young users who have reporteldy stopped using Facebook in huge numbers. Since Instagram allows users to share ephemeral 'stories' with their 'close friends,' they also know who your close friends are in a way. With the help of Threads, Facebook may be looking to push you for more quality interaction with people in your close circle.

Facebook is known for launching separate apps. Facebook did something with Messenger a few years ago. After Facebook spun Messenger out of its main app, users were forced to use Messenger to be able to continue chatting with their friends. Facebook appears to be doing the same thing with Threads for Instagram this time around.