Twitter threatens legal action against Meta over Threads: report
New York (AP): Twitter has threatened legal action against Meta over its new, text-based app called Threads, according to a letter obtained by Semafor.
In a Wednesday letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alex Spiro, an attorney representing Twitter, accused Meta of unlawfully using Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property by hiring former Twitter employees to create a "copycat" app.
Since launching Threads Wednesday night, Meta's new app has collected tens of millions of sign ups. The app, which was created by the company's Instagram team, arrives at a time when many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Elon Musk's raucous oversight of the platform since acquiring it last year for USD 44 billion.
Meta spokesperson Andy Stone responded to the report of Spiro's letter on Threads Thursday afternoon, writing, "no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee that's just not a thing".
In the letter, which Semafor first reported on Thursday, Spiro said that Twitter "intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights" and noted the company's right to seek civil remedies or injunctive relief. He added that the letter marked a "formal notice" for Meta to preserve documents relevant for a potential dispute between the companies.
The Associated Press reached out to Spiro and Twitter on Thursday for further information. Twitter responded to an email seeking comment with a poop emoji, its standard automated response to reporters.
Musk hasn't directly tweeted about the possibility of legal action, but he has replied to several snarky takes on the Threads launch. The Twitter owner responded to one tweet suggesting that Meta's app was built largely through the use of the copy and paste function, with a laughing emoji.
Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has also not publicly commented on Wednesday's letter, but seemingly appeared to address Threads' launch in a Thursday tweet.
"We're often imitated -- but the Twitter community can never be duplicated," Yaccarino wrote.
Still, some analysts say Meta's new app could be a significant headache for Twitter pointing to the excitement surrounding Threads' launch and impressive download numbers so far.
Success for the app isn't guaranteed, of course. Industry watchers point to Meta's track record of starting standalone apps that were later shut down, for example, and note that Threads is still in its early days so time will tell.
Meta's new app has also raised data privacy concerns. While Threads launched in more than 100 countries Wednesday, it is notably unavailable in the European Union, which has strict data privacy rules.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Indian Coast Guard to observe 50th Raising Day on Feb 1
New Delhi (PTI): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG),established in 1977 with just seven surface platforms, has evolved into a "formidable maritime force" comprising 155 ships and 80 aircrafts, officials said on Saturday.
The ICG will observe its 50th Raising Day with an event here on Sunday, marking five decades of dedicated, selfless service to the nation, they said.
Raised on February 1, 1977, the ICG was envisioned to address emerging maritime challenges and safeguard India's expanding marine interests.
"From its humble beginnings in 1977 with just seven surface platforms, the ICG has evolved into a formidable maritime force comprising 155 ships and 80 aircrafts today," the ICG said.
By 2030, the ICG is "poised to achieve its target force levels of 200 surface platforms and 100 aircrafts, firmly establishing itself among the world's premier coast guard services," it said.
Since its inception, the organisation has "rescued over 11,800 lives", forging a legacy defined by compassion and courage, earning recognition as the enduring 'Saviours at Sea', a senior ICG official said.
Headquartered in Delhi, the force maintains vigil over 20.1 lakh sq km of India's Exclusive Economic Zone and 11,098.01 km of coastline, the ICG said in a statement.
From modest origins, it has grown into a powerful, versatile, and highly respected force entrusted with maritime law enforcement, coastal security, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and humanitarian aid, officials said.
From close coordination with the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor to daring rescue operations in Lakshadweep and the firm handling of three major maritime incidents off the Kerala coast in recent months, the ICG has demonstrated preparedness across the full spectrum of maritime contingencies, they said.
With extensive deployment of ships and aircrafts, coupled with high-tech electronic surveillance, the Coast Guard's persistent presence at sea reassures the maritime community and deters transgressions, they added.
Aligned with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make in India', the ICG is steadily moving towards self-reliance through induction of indigenously-built ships, aircrafts, helicopters, and advanced surveillance systems, while simultaneously prioritising infrastructure development and personnel welfare, the statement said.
The ICG said it also "remains firmly committed to gender neutrality and inclusivity, ensuring equal opportunities for women across seagoing, aviation, and shore-based roles, and fostering a professional environment defined by respect, merit, and mutual trust".
Guided by the prime minister's vision of 'Amrit Kaal' and anchored in the doctrines of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), the ICG forms a key pillar of India's maritime resurgence, promoting security, growth, cooperation, and collective prosperity across the oceans, it said.
In this evolving era, India's seas are not merely frontiers to be guarded, but "pathways of partnership, progress, and shared destiny", the ICG added.
On the global stage, the ICG strengthens maritime partnerships through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and capacity-building initiatives, the force said, adding that the unanimous decision to hand over presidency of 50th Coast Guard Global Summit to ICG in 2025 stands as a recognition of India's growing maritime leadership.
Ahead of the 50th Raising Day, the President of India, the vice-president, prime minister, and the defence minister, have extended regards to all ranks of the ICG, commending its remarkable achievements and acknowledging its vital role in safeguarding India's maritime interests, it said.
