That's ONE reason they are doing it, but it isn't a "very good" reason. Anyway, doesn't effect me because I don't have FB, Instagram, or Twitter accounts specifically because of their data mining policies.
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Want to Delete Your Threads Profile? Then Delete Your Instagram Account, Says Meta
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Hardly surprising, considering it's an off shoot of Instagram.
Threads, Meta's alternative to Twitter, has officially launched. But users thinking of installing the social media app just to check it out should be aware that you can't delete your Threads profile without also deleting your Instagram account.
Meta describes Threads as "Instagram's text-based conversation app," and there's purpose in that precise phrasing. It doesn't just mean that your Instagram username ports over to Threads and that you have the option to follow the same people you follow on Instagram. It also means that once you create a Threads profile, there's no way to delete it unless you're prepared to delete your Instagram account wholesale.
If you want out of Threads but you're not prepared to delete your Instagram account, the only other alternative is to "temporarily" deactivate your Threads profile. This is Meta's way of encouraging you to keep both. Threads' privacy policy makes it pretty clear: "You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account."
The moral of the story for Instagram fans is that if you don't want an eternal Threads profile on Meta's servers, then don't sign up to Threads. If it's too late for that, the less-than-ideal alternative is to deactivate your Threads profile, which you can do by following the steps below.
When you deactivate your profile, your posts and interactions with others' posts won't be visible until you reactivate your profile. That said, those posts will still live on Threads' servers unless you manually delete them one by one.
- In the Threads app, tap the profile icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- Tap the two-line menu icon in the top right of your profile.
- Tap the Account icon, then tap Deactivate profile.
- Tap Deactivate Threads profile, then confirm your choice.
If you change your mind after deactivation, you can re-activate your Threads profile simply by logging back into the Threads app using your Instagram account. Just bear in mind that you can only deactivate your profile once a week.
Article Link: Want to Delete Your Threads Profile? Then Delete Your Instagram Account, Says Meta
What's amazing is how many people are so emotionally needy and none too bright, to allow Meta to mine & sell their personal data 🫨
I deleted my FB & Instagram 2 years ago and there's no way I'm going back 😊
It gets even more complicated since Meta may already have amassed data on you even if you never signed up; some of which may identify you and some merely inferred. They could, using publicly available and purchased data, build a pretty good profile on non-users should they want to.
While much of the focus is on social media/search/technology companies when it comes to data collection; plenty of companies have collected reams of data way before Facebook was even a gimmer in Zukerberg's eye. How does the GDPR relate to that data, much of which you have no idea who has it, is an interesting question.
FOr example, the GDPR requires:
The controller shall communicate any rectification or erasure of personal data or restriction of processing carried out in accordance with Article 16, Article 17(1) and Article 18 to each recipient to whom the personal data have been disclosed, unless this proves impossible or involves disproportionate effort. The controller shall inform the data subject about those recipients if the data subject requests it.
I'm guessing Meta could argue it is impossible to do that.
So if I post dumb opinions on the Internet, Mark Zuckerberg won't make it easy for me to delete them all at once? Well that sucks. 
I actually tried to make a new Instagram account just to check out Threads and Instagram immediately suspended my brand new account for 180 days for violating community guidelines 🤣
Then asked me to verify my email account and phone number. It seems they just wanted my phone number to create the account. Scummy!!!!
Then asked me to verify my email account and phone number. It seems they just wanted my phone number to create the account. Scummy!!!!
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️
Suspended
There’s the dark side of this new app. What a catch! Honestly seems like a scam at this point.
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I’ve already been seeing reports of ridiculous censorship on this app, with screenshots to back up the claims. Yeah, I’ll stick to Twitter where I can speak freely.
The Internet in general has become a complete mess.
PSA:
I was aware a while back that Instagram transitioned our accounts to Meta account center. What I didn't know was that they TURNED OFF MY 2FA when that happened. I had to reactivate 2FA, get new backup codes, etc.
I have several insta accounts and this did not happen to all of them, which makes it even more weird. Another account had 2FA stay on, but THEY CHANGED THE BACKUP CODES.
If you didn't know this could happen, go check your account and make sure you still have 2FA.
I was aware a while back that Instagram transitioned our accounts to Meta account center. What I didn't know was that they TURNED OFF MY 2FA when that happened. I had to reactivate 2FA, get new backup codes, etc.
I have several insta accounts and this did not happen to all of them, which makes it even more weird. Another account had 2FA stay on, but THEY CHANGED THE BACKUP CODES.
If you didn't know this could happen, go check your account and make sure you still have 2FA.
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Well, that certainly sucks.
Good thing my approach to Threads was to log in, make a single post directing people to my Mastodon account, and then delete the app. I’m comfortable with Meta having my single post telling people where to actually find me.
Good thing my approach to Threads was to log in, make a single post directing people to my Mastodon account, and then delete the app. I’m comfortable with Meta having my single post telling people where to actually find me.
Given the connection between Threads and Instagram, it sounds like nobody can sign up for Threads with a username that already exists on Instagram? Wouldn't that obviate the feeling of “needing” to establish an account on a new social media service with the same username as elsewhere in order to maintain consistent branding, and cut into signup numbers?
Don't assume I have. I don't use their products and never will.
Of all social media apps, I use Twitter the least because it is so convoluted and confusing. I see no need for an app that appears to be Twitter's evil twin. I am unabashedly long-winded and see little use for a platform that wants to truncate my musings. 
C'mon now, Zuck's gotta make up the money he's not getting from Pütin anymore. A girl's gotta make a living....
Wow… This wreaks of insecurity bc they are desperate to compete. That way they can keep their user list high because no one will want to delete their account at the cost of losing their Instagram account too. This is what happens when you have the greedy rich capitalist Zuckerberg desperate to compete with Musk’s Twitter. This is pathetically embarrassing, desperate, insecure and dominating.
I completely agree with everything that you've written.
I do think that this app was thrown together in a hurry and will quickly evolve.
Delete all social media.
Don’t read comments.
Win at life.
Don’t read comments.
Win at life.