Launched on July 5, Threads, the new social network developed by Meta (parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) has already exceeded 100 million users. But it is not yet thanks to the European market since the application, which comes to compete with Twitter, is currently only available in the United States (although there are solutions to download it anyway).
However, in the App Store, “Threads for Insta” is, for example, number 5 in the ranking of free apps and even number 1 in the “Social Networks” category. However, Meta has nothing to do with this app. It is a company called SocialKit LTD that is behind the deceptive app.
A logo that sows doubts
And on closer inspection, the more experienced will quickly pick up on the deception. The logo thus seems to be inspired by that of the platform officially presented by Meta. But while the authentic logo shows a stylized white at sign on a black background, the one for the “copy” app is based on a rather treacherous detail, since it takes up the colors of the Instagram app, with which Threads is associated.
The screenshots of the “fake” application also show a different interface from the one Meta presents, but above all very different functions from those of the new social network that competes with Twitter. “Threads for Insta” claims to use artificial intelligence to find ideas for “threads” to write in the app, a feature that the official app does not offer.
Beyond this aesthetic illusion, the Threads for Insta app above all carries a real danger since it is not, in fact, free. The user simply receives a trial period.
Up to 90 euros billed
Obviously, without clear and precise cancellation of the subscription at least 24 hours before the renewal date, the subscription will be billed continuously to the user. The one-year subscription, which is supposed to give access to all functions, is billed, for example, at 89.99 euros. The weekly subscription is offered at 2.99 euros. As for the monthly subscription, it is presented at 29.99 euros.
In the comments on the App Store, many netizens have expressed their disappointment, assuring that some paid a one-year subscription before realizing the hoax. Note that the company that created this fake app was already at the source of a “fake” ChatGPT app, based on their various creations displayed on the App Store.
Other applications, in the App Store or in the Play Store, have also swarmed in recent days. At the moment, Meta has not revealed any European release date for the official Threads app.
Source: BFM TV
