Threads Profiles Cannot Be Deleted without Removing Your Entire Instagram Account

Today, all the technology and social media rave is about the new Threads app. The circumstances behind its release were deeply shrouded in controversy, serving to increase the hype and helping the platform gain record-breaking traction. Indeed, Threads earned as much as 10 million sign-ups within the first seven hours of its release. By the end of 24 hours, Threads had hit up to 30 million signups, the first of its kind for a major social media platform, surpassing the equivalent record for networks like Facebook and Netflix. Nevertheless, not all of Threads’ new features have been embraced by its new user base.

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A Twitter Copycat or More?

The new Threads app was launched, first and foremost, as a direct competitor to the dominant Twitter app. In fact, much was made of the fact that Threads’ parent company, Meta, reportedly recruited ex-Twitter staff, many of whom still had access to Twitter company secrets, in building the new app. On first inspection, one is struck by just how similar Threads is to the platform it was built to rival. Both are text-based social media platforms that allow users to interact with one another and follow various trends worldwide. The interfaces are basically the same, as Threads’ can tailor notifications and has algorithmically-determined user followership. Although there are a few differences, the eye test states that Threads’ is undeniably a copycat of Twitter, albeit a clever one. One can imagine that the administration at Twitter HQ has not taken kindly to the new Threads app, with Elon Musk pointing out that “Competition is fine, cheating is not”. A Meta spokesperson has since denied the implied allegations, stating that  “No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee”.

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Uniting Threads and Instagram

The first thing to know about the new Threads app is that Instagram essentially powers it. The initial users of the Threads app were quick to discover this, as well as another altogether unfavourable catch. Threads is primarily designed to make it easy to crossover from Instagram, as both apps are owned by tech giants Meta. Instagram users can easily sign up on the platform and even carry over their usernames to the new app. While this cross-integration is quite exciting for existing Instagram users, who can seamlessly switch between both apps and even directly access Threads in-app from Instagram, the catch attached to this unusual union makes it a bit unsavoury. For one, users cannot delete their Threads account without deleting their entire Instagram account. This will disappoint users who value the added control that the availability of such an option brings. 

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The Alternative

The feature that makes it impossible to decouple Instagram from Threads is an unpopular one and has been met with much negativity from the new user base. To this effect, Meta has promised a review of this policy. Nevertheless, no one knows the timeline for its implementation. In the meantime, users will have to persist with this feature. However, it’s not all bad, as an alternative approach means that users can choose to hide their Threads profile and its content by deactivating their accounts. Deactivating a Threads account eliminates its visibility within the space without having to take the extreme measure of deleting the account, along with its accompanying Instagram account. Users should note that this deactivation is a temporary measure. While the profile remains hidden, you can reactivate the account if you log back in. There’s also the added option to set an account to private or delete individual posts. 

Conclusion

Given the controversial nature of the app’s release, it appears that battle lines have been officially drawn between Meta and Twitter. While the competition is expected to spur both platforms to innovate better features, it is hard to shake off the feeling that Threads’ launch was rushed in a bid to take advantage of Twitter’s current lack of popularity with many of its users. This could explain the lack of many advanced features such as direct messaging, trend search, live audio conversations and more engagement/reaction functions. However, all of these pale in significance when you realise that you cannot delete your Threads account without removing your entire Instagram account. One can only hope that subsequent app updates can remedy this anomaly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Delete Your Threads Account?

It is perfectly possible to delete your Threads account. However, it comes with a steep caveat that means your Instagram account will also have to go. The only way to circumvent this is to disable your Threads temporarily account. 

Is Threads Like Twitter?

Like Twitter, Threads is a text-based conversation app that functions as a virtual public square for news and other social interactions. Threads has come under huge scrutiny and controversy for its uncanny likeness to Twitter in multiple categories, including interface and functionality.

Will Twitter Sue Threads for Copyright Infringement?

Since Threads was launched, representatives of Meta and Twitter have exchanged words online, with the Twitter leadership in particular disillusioned with what it has implied to be a copycat of its flagship app. Whether Twitter will take legal steps against Threads and Meta remains yet to be seen.