Twitter has accused Meta owner Mark Zuckerberg of engaging  in “unlawful misappropriation” of the company trade secrets and intellectual property after the launch of Threads.

In a memo addressed to Mr Zuckerberg, Twitter’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, threatened lawsuit over the launch of a similar app called Threads on Wednesday.

Mr Spiro, accused Meta of hiring former Twitter employees recently fired by the company. 

“Meta has hired dozens of former Twitter employees. Twitter knows that these employees previously worked at Twitter; that these employees had and continue to have access to Twitter’s trade secrets and other highly confidential information; that these employees owe ongoing obligations to Twitter; and that many of these employees have improperly retained Twitter documents and electronic devices,” the memo said. 

Twitter is demanding that Threads immediately stop using its trade secret or any confidential information shared by its former staff to Meta.

“Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information,” it said.

It added, “Twitter reserves all rights, including, but not limited to, the right to seek both civil remedies and injunctive relief without further notice to prevent any further retention, disclosure, or use of its intellectual property by Meta.” 

Twitter owner Elon Musk while reacting to the launch of Threads, said, “Competition is fine, cheating is not.”