Over 22 million users have signed up for Meta’s new text-based social media platform Threads since its release Wednesday, which can be only accessed through a preexisting Instagram account; however, if you wish to delete your Threads account you would have to think more than twice.
If you do so, your Instagram account will cease to exist.
In a "Supplemental Privacy Policy," Meta explained that “you may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.”
Meta further stated that a Threads profile is part of the user’s Instagram account.
People were caught in amazement after learning about this policy of the social media giant which may anger some users and refrain several to not opt for Threads as a Twitter alternative.
Twitter is considering legal action against Meta over its fast-growing rival app Threads.
Threads, which was launched to millions on Wednesday, is similar to Twitter and has been pitched by Meta bosses as a "friendly" alternative.
Twitter's Elon Musk said "competition is fine, cheating is not" - but Meta denied claims in a legal letter that ex-Twitter staff helped create Threads.
More than 30 million people have signed up for the new app, according to Meta.
The look and feel of Threads are similar to those of Twitter, BBC News technology reporter James Clayton noted. He said the news feed and the reposting were "incredibly familiar".
In a move first reported by news outlet Semafor, Twitter attorney Alex Spiro sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday accusing Meta of "systematic, wilful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property" to create Threads.
Specifically, Mr Spiro alleged that Meta had hired dozens of former Twitter employees who "had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information" that ultimately helped Meta develop what he termed the "copycat" Threads app.
"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," the letter says.
"Twitter reserves all rights, including, but not limited to, the right to seek both civil remedies and injunctive relief without further notice."
Threads is currently the biggest competitor to the billionaire Elon Musk’s Twitter — which he bought for $44 billion last year.
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