Users of the Threads iOS app noticed a new “Latest” sorting option while searching on the social network.
However, the company clarified that this feature was not meant for public use but was mistakenly made available to a small group of users as an internal prototype.
Instagram Head Adam Mosseri had previously expressed concerns about introducing a “Latest” search option on Threads, citing worries about potential misuse by spammers and bad actors.
He explained that this option might create a loophole that could be exploited, leading to an overflow of unwanted content that would be challenging to manage effectively.
Threads had initially tested post searches in Australia and New Zealand in August 2023 and later expanded to several English and Spanish-speaking countries in September.
Eventually, in December, the search feature was officially launched worldwide, covering all languages, including those in the EU.
