The Meta Quest 2 (formerly known as the Oculus Quest 2) raised some small controversy (or frustration) in its initial release. It forced all users to log into the system with their Facebook accounts. I’m pretty sure the one and only Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg already knows everything about me, even though I don’t use Facebook (Twitter makes more sense nowadays). Regardless, the privacy issues are pretty obvious, virtual reality and social media and all. The concerns seemed loud enough, though, as Meta has relented. Starting next month, you don’t need to log into your Meta Quest with a Facebook account.
News of this broke through an official post on Facebook by Zuckerberg. The Meta CEO revealed that players could instead make separate Meta accounts that can be used for the VR headsets. According to Zuckerberg, this will “give everyone more choice about how you show up in the metaverse.” Zuckerberg has been pushing hard on the “big new thing” that is the Metaverse, a huge social circle that he hopes everyone inevitably heads towards.
Into the metaverse
The move toward the Metaverse is perhaps a reason why Meta is no longer forcing you to link your account to Facebook. This forced integration was undoubtedly a sticking point for many customers, especially with other headsets on the market competing directly with the Quest. But unfortunately, I’m not sure that being forced to create a separate Meta account is that much better.
The Meta Quest will become unlinked from Facebook around August when Meta accounts are planned to start rolling out. You’ll have to create a Meta account regardless, even if you’ve been using a Facebook account. Although you can keep using your Oculus account until January 1, 2023. To be honest, there’s probably still going to be some level of forced integration with this new Meta account push. But maybe this will put some old and future users at ease. I already resigned to the mighty Facebook conglomerate myself. How else would I get my Beat Saber fix at low, low prices?
You asked, we listened. pic.twitter.com/dSKRB0oFBw
— Meta Quest (@MetaQuestVR) July 7, 2022
