In a startling turn of events, social media behemoth Twitter has issued a harsh warning to Meta Platforms, previously known as Facebook, over the alleged misuse of trade secrets and intellectual property. The bone of dispute is Meta’s newly released “Threads” software, which Twitter alleges is a flagrant imitation of its own platform.
According to a letter delivered by Alex Spiro, representing Twitter, to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the social media giant has severe reservations about Meta’s behaviour. Twitter argues that Meta purposefully employed hundreds of former Twitter workers who had access to highly private information and trade secrets. These personnel, bound by continuous responsibilities to Twitter, are suspected to have inappropriately held Twitter records and electronic devices.
Twitter argues that Meta organised the quick creation of the “Threads” app, employing Twitter’s trade secrets and intellectual property, in violation of state and federal laws. The letter demands that Meta immediately stop exploiting any Twitter trade secrets or sensitive information, adding that Twitter will fiercely protect its intellectual property rights.
Additionally, Twitter’s letter clearly bans Meta from scanning or scraping Twitter’s followers or following data. Such acts are completely illegal without Twitter’s prior approval, as specified in its Terms of Service.
To further buttress its claims, Twitter has directed Meta to keep any documents relevant to the dispute, including those connected to the recruiting and onboarding of former Twitter workers and the development of the “Threads” app.
The prospective legal fight between Twitter and Meta threatens to shock the internet sector, since the conclusion might have far-reaching repercussions for trade secrets, intellectual property, and competition across social media platforms.
As the crisis progresses, industry professionals and legal analysts anxiously anticipate Meta’s answer to Twitter’s requests, which may decide the destiny of the purported “copycat” software and perhaps transform the landscape of social media.