Threads Launch By Meta Opens Potential Fraud And Fake Accounts

JAKARTA - After a few weeks of waiting, Meta has finally launched the 'Threads' app, dubbed the Twitter killer, overnight.

While more than 10 million people have signed up for the app, a cybersecurity expert warned that Threads could be an easy target for scammers.

Jake Moore, ESET's Global Security Adviser, told MailOnline that fake disinformation and accounts could appear on this social media platform as it is increasingly being used in more than 100 countries.

"As with every new platform, there is always a desire to get followers and popularity at the start. Fake accounts usually have good opportunities to develop a lot of followers when the door opens simultaneously for all kinds of accounts," Moore said in an interview with MailOnline.

While Threads is a new platform, Instagram accounts are needed to gain access, meaning self-adjoint accounts cannot be created. However, Moore criticized the current verification system on Threads where anyone can buy a blue tick.

This is part of an already-integrated Meta Verified subscription service on Facebook and Instagram. To get a blue tick, users pay a monthly fee of 11.99 US dollars (IDR 185 thousand) for a web or USD 14.99 (IDR 200 thousand) for iOS services.

This paid system is very similar to Twitter Blue, where users are also charged 11.00 US dollars (IDR 165 thousand) per month for iOS services and 8.00 US dollars (IDR 110 thousand) for web verification.

However, just like Twitter, this could cause serious problems with fake accounts on Threads, making it easier for fraud to occur. After the Twitter Blue launch, users also saw a big wave of accounts claiming to be celebrities.

Someone pretended to be former President George W. Bush - who appears to be posting inappropriate tweets about Iraq - and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.

However, this issue is not unique to Twitter and Moore claims that it could also happen in Threads - regardless of whether the profile is verified or not.

"For example, there is a risk that someone creates an account as a public organization or figure and pays for verification just to then follow a lot of accounts and get a follow-up reply. This can cause problems such as financial fraud, disinformation, and misinformation in the future," he added.

To address this risk, Moore encouraged users to "stay vigilant", questioning what they read and from where the source comes in dealing with the new buzz Threads.

"People need to re-check their accounts before following them, but this could be a challenge with a new platform," he said. "Therefore, people should remain vigilant about what they're reading in the coming weeks in Threads and try to verify the information elsewhere before sharing it back."

In response to this, Meta explains that security measures have been implemented on its platforms to ensure its verification system is effective.

To get a blue tick, the account must meet the minimum activity requirements, such as the history of previous posts, and must be at least 18 years old.

Users must also send government identities - which match their Instagram and Facebook profiles.

The technology company also guarantees that there are 40,000 people currently working for Meta security and its protection infrastructure.

More than 16 billion US dollars (Rp241 trillion) have been invested in building these teams that have been deployed in Threads since day one.

Moore's concerns come along with other concerns about the platform itself and potential personal privacy breaches.

When using Threads, the application collects 14 different types of personal data that can be linked to the user's identity. In addition to location and search history, this includes financial information, purchasing history, and even health data.

Meta, which is owned by Zuckerberg, already uses user information to direct personalized ads on its platforms.

Therefore, perhaps this is why the EU's lead regulator told Politico that Threads had not yet been launched there.

The upcoming EU regulation - known as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, aims to remove the use of sensitive information in ad profiles. EU has been asked to comment.