Legal Dispute Arises Between Twitter and Meta over Threads App

via Business Today.in

Twitter has raised the possibility of taking legal action against Meta due to its rapidly growing competitor app, Threads. Meta, promoting Threads as a "friendly" alternative to Twitter, faces allegations in a legal letter from Twitter's attorney, Alex Spiro. The letter sent to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg accuses Meta of unlawfully misappropriating Twitter's trade secrets and intellectual property to develop the Threads app. Spiro claims that Meta hired numerous former Twitter employees who had access to confidential information, thereby aiding in the creation of what he referred to as a "copycat" app. Twitter is demanding that Meta immediately cease the use of any Twitter trade secrets or confidential information and warns of pursuing civil remedies and injunctive relief if necessary.

Over 30 million users have reportedly signed up for Threads, which bears similarities to Twitter in terms of its interface and features. BBC News technology reporter James Clayton remarked that the news feed and reposting functionalities on Threads are remarkably familiar to those of Twitter. While Meta denied the allegations made in the legal letter, Twitter's Elon Musk emphasized that competition is acceptable but cheating is not. Both Musk and Zuckerberg have acknowledged the rivalry between their platforms, with the launch of Threads accompanied by a humorous tweet from Zuckerberg and a response from Musk stating a preference for being criticized on Twitter rather than finding solace in the facade of happiness on Instagram.

BBC News has reached out to both Meta and Twitter for further comments on the matter.

Source: BBC