This policy was a privacy red flag, but it also created usability problems.
What if a headset was shared?
What if a user didnt have a Facebook account?
Meta eventually announced that Quest users would no longer need a Facebook login.
Instead, they could create a Meta account.
This solved a lot of those usability problems but, is it more private for users?
Understanding the Meta Account
Meta is the new name of Facebook Companyas of October 2021.
This is the conglomerate that owns the social media companies Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Oculus still exists as an entity and does Metas VR software development.
Some kind of account is necessary to do things like buy and manage apps, after all.
However, Meta retired the Oculus account in lieu of a Facebook login requirement.
Seeing the problems above, including vocal pushback from users, Metastopped requiring a Facebook loginin August 2022.
Instead, they need a Meta account.
Others believe that the Meta account requirement is better than a Facebook account requirement.
Trying to decide whos right is less rewarding than presenting both sides of the discussion.
The Meta Account Requirement Is Not Better
There are a few strong pillars holding up this position.
Whether you support it or not, the common ground we all walk on is that Meta owns Facebook.
Meta Gets Your Info Either way
There are a lot ofreasons to be concerned about Facebook.
It can be tempting to think that giving your data to anyone else is an improvement.
But, Meta owns Facebook anyway.
Theres something youre afraid to tell this person, so you tell them at work.
So, giving your information to Meta might just be giving your information to Facebook wearing a different hat.
It could be argued that these are moot points as far as the Meta account is concerned.
After all, these things are required for a VR headset and ecosystem.
So, they arent new concerns since Meta accounts appeared, as theyve been true since Facebook bought Oculus.
Theyve even been true since Meta replaced the Oculus login with a Facebook login.
Yes, that does make a difference.
VR and Social Media Are Different
Think about the information that you enter into Facebook.
Your name, your family and friends, probably where you work and went to school.
Maybe what you think and believe.
Maybe payment info, maybe not.
This information has to be input accurately and honestly for the platform to work as intended.
Maybe your real name, maybe not.
Maybe your personal friends, maybe not.
Payment info, probably.
Probably not your family.
Probably not where you work.
Probably not what you think and believe.
Friend suggestions were a good example of this in the days of the Facebook requirements.
However, since the Meta account option, you dont need a Facebook account to use a Quest.
Before, the only option was to create a Facebook account just to use your Quest.
Pick Your Poison
For most people, this is an academic exercise.
If youre more discerning, you have some thinking to do.
Its true that using a VR headset means giving some of your info to someone.
However, giving info to Meta no longer means giving your info to Facebook.
Thats particularly true if you use Meta and Facebook in ways that are mindful of your data privacy.
