U-turn to meta Facebook? A new system for users logging into Meta’s VR headsets will be introduced next month
Meta Platforms plans to change the login system for its virtual reality headsets, apparently undoing a controversial change implemented in 2020.
The company began requiring new users of Oculus devices to have a Facebook login in October 2020, when it launched the Oculus Quest 2 headset. Facebook also announced plans to phase out existing Oculus accounts at the time.
Facebook acquired Oculus in 2014 and previously allowed users to activate their headsets with a standalone Oculus login.
meta account
Facebook’s login requirements have been controversial, prompting an investigation in Germany over concerns that gamers could be exposed to Facebook’s data collection policies and abused the company’s dominant position on social media. .
And with Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 currently dominating the consumer VR headset market, with a price tag of £299 ($299 in the US) near the bottom of the market, privacy concerns were a reason. it is clear.
Starting in August 2022, Meta will begin rolling out Meta Accounts, a new way for people to log into their VR headsets that does not require a Facebook account.
Meta Horizon Profile for VR
According to Meta, starting in August, if you’re using a Meta VR device for the first time or have previously integrated your Oculus account with your Facebook account, you’ll need to create a Meta account and a Meta Horizon profile.
If you are logged into your VR device with your Oculus account, you can continue to log in until January 1, 2023. At this point, you will need to create a Meta account and a Meta Horizon profile to continue using your Meta VR device.
The company emphasized that meta accounts are not social media profiles. Log in to your VR device to view and manage your purchased apps in one place. Meta said in the future it will expand the account functionality to allow people to use it to log into other Meta devices.
“Once you have created your Meta account, you will be asked to create a Meta Horizon profile,” the company said. Your Oculus friends become your followers, similar to how Instagram works. This update gives you more ways to socialize and connect with others. “
Privacy options
“We want to be able to control who we interact with in VR and build our own community,” Meta added. “As part of this update, you’ll see a menu with three privacy options to help guide you through which privacy settings are best for you. It’s open to all users, friends and family, and solo.”
“After you make your selection, you’ll be given the opportunity to review and verify that your individual privacy settings are set the way you want them,” it said. “You can change these settings at any time.”
Whether these changes address Oculus users’ concerns remains to be seen.
Meta didn’t ease tensions when it said it would start testing ads on its Oculus Quest virtual reality headset in 2021.
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