Meta has gained a reputation for incorporating features from other social media platforms into its own. Whether it’s the TikTok-inspired Reels, Snapchat-inspired Stories, or Discord-inspired Communities, Meta’s popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp offer a diverse range of functionalities. Now, it seems that Meta has set its sights on rivaling Twitter.
For years, rumors have circulated about Meta working on a Twitter competitor. Recently, a report suggested that the company might be getting closer to launching its own Twitter rival, although the exact name remains unknown. In response to the claim, new Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino stated, “Game On.” During a companywide meeting, top Meta executives provided employees with a preview of their upcoming Twitter-like platform. According to The Verge, the preview indicates that this will be a standalone app from Meta, featuring Twitter-like features and interface. The project is currently codenamed “Project 92.”
From the screenshot shared, it appears that Meta will allow users to log in using their Facebook or Instagram accounts, eliminating the need for a new ID. Users can express their thoughts in a Twitter-style prompt, and others can like, comment, and re-share the posts (essentially retweeting). The screenshot also suggests that users will be able to create threaded posts, enabling a series of connected posts.
Furthermore, the report mentions that the Meta app, inspired by Twitter, will leverage Instagram’s account system to populate user information. During the meeting,
Meta’s chief product officer, Chris Cox, reportedly mentioned the involvement of notable personalities like Oprah and the Dalai Lama, who are expected to join the platform to attract others to try the “Project 92” app. Cox added, “We’ve been hearing from creators and public figures who are interested in having a platform that is sanely run, that they believe that they can trust and rely upon for distribution.”
Cox’s remarks appear to subtly criticize Twitter owner Elon Musk, who has gained attention for his more aggressive approach to managing the micro-social media platform. Concerns have been raised by analysts regarding hate speech on Twitter,
as Musk continues to make rapid changes to his team and work style, resulting in the departure of several top executives. Additionally, there have been reports that Twitter has refused to pay its bills for the Google Cloud subscription, potentially leaving the platform vulnerable to safety and privacy issues without a reputable cloud service handling its information flow.
However, it’s worth noting that Meta’s platforms also have a mixed reputation when it comes to safety and privacy. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that Instagram’s algorithms were promoting the sale of illicit “child-sex material” on the platform. Meta responded by emphasizing its strict
rules against child sexual abuse material (CSAM). While the company asserts that it has guidelines and measures in place, the emergence of new pages sharing such content on a daily basis cannot be ruled out.
When Meta announces its Twitter rival, Project 92, it is expected that the company will highlight similar measures in addressing safety and privacy concerns. It remains to be seen whether the Twitter-like app will offer end-to-end encryption for direct messages (DMs), providing enhanced security.
