Meta’s newest app, Threads, was launched on July 5, 2023. The company’s chief, Mark Zuckerberg, claims they have had around 30 million users sign up within a 24-hour period. Threads is believed to have the capability of attracting unhappy Twitter users. Including those unimpressed by Elon Musk’s recent changes to the platform.
Zuckerberg pitched the app as a “friendly” rival to Musk’s recently acquired company. Twitter CEO, Linda Yaccarino, stated the platform is “often imitated.” However, she believes its community can “never be duplicated.”
The new app is an Instagram text-based conversation platform. The description area of Threads in the app store says it “is where communities come together to discuss everything…” Furthermore, it allows people to talk about everything they care about including topics that could be tomorrow’s trend.
Twitter Slaps Lawsuit on Meta Over Threads App
A day after Meta launched its new baby, Twitter’s attorney Alex Spiro slapped the Facebook parent with a lawsuit. In a letter sent to Zuckerberg, Spiro stated that “Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights.”
Additionally, the platform wants the Facebook parent “to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information.” The letter was written on behalf of X Corp. which is Musk’s technology company.
Moreover, X Corp. feels that Zuckerberg has been utilizing the knowledge of former Twitter employees. Knowledge, they feel has been used to “copycat” Twitter’s platform. Spiro stated these infringements are a “violation of both state and federal law.” Furthermore, it also violates the former “employees’ ongoing obligations to Twitter.”
Same But Different
While Threads does have a similar interface to Twitter, it differs in other ways. For example, Threads does not support direct messaging or keyword searches.
Both social media companies have not made comments about the legality issue. Nor is it clear if Threads will be changing anything or if it is in fact in violation of said allegations.
BREAKING: X Corp. threatens to sue Meta over Twitter clone “Threads” in a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg for engaging in “systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter’s trade secrets and other intellectual property.” pic.twitter.com/rVJl57juq9
— ALX ???????? (@alx) July 6, 2023
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Reuters: Twitter threatens to sue Meta over Threads – Semafor
CNN: Meta officially launches Twitter rival Threads. 30 million have joined already
BBC: Threads: Thirty million join Meta’s Twitter rival, Zuckerberg says
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Anthony Quintano’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Sheena Robertson
