Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has introduced a new feature to combat spam and abuse on its new app Threads. The feature, called rate limits, will restrict the number of threads and reposts a user can create or join in a given period.
Threads is a text-based social networking app that was launched by Meta in early July 2023. The app is a companion app for Instagram, which means that users need to log in with their Instagram credentials and can share their posts to their Instagram stories. Threads allows users to create and join conversations across Meta's platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
According to Meta, rate limits are designed to prevent spammers from creating or joining multiple threads and reposts in a short span of time, which can disrupt the quality and relevance of conversations. Rate limits will apply to all users on Threads, regardless of their reputation or verification status.
“Spam attacks have picked up so we're going to have to get tighter on things like rate limits, which is going to mean more unintentionally limiting active people (false positives),” confirmed Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram in a post on Threads.
How the Rate Limits will Work on Threads
Meta said that rate limits will be based on various factors, such as user behaviour, thread type, and platform. For example, a user who frequently creates or joins threads that are reported for spam or abuse will have a lower rate limit than a user who has a good reputation. Similarly, a thread that is public and open to anyone will have a lower rate limit than a thread that is private and invite-only.
The company did not disclose the exact numbers or durations of the rate limits, saying that they will vary depending on the context and will be adjusted over time. However, Meta assured that most users will not be affected by the rate limits, as they are intended to target only the most abusive and spammy behavior.
Meta said that rate limits are part of its ongoing efforts to improve its platforms' safety and integrity, including other features such as verification badges, reporting tools, spam filters, and artificial intelligence. Meta said that it hopes that rate limits will help create more meaningful and respectful conversations among its users.
