The parent company of Facebook, Meta, has launched a new Meta account structure to give users more flexibility and control in VR. Earlier in Connect 2021, the company announced plans to transition from being Facebook-first to being metaverse-first. And this appears to be the start of everything.
Meta accounts allow users of Meta Quest VR headsets to log in without requiring a Facebook account. As an update to the Oculus profile, Meta Horizon profiles are introduced. That is the social presence of the user in VR and the metaverse.
“The update will roll out globally on a gradual basis, so if you don’t have the option to create a Meta account and Meta Horizon profile right away, you’ll get the update soon,” the announcement read.
Essentially, if you no longer require a Facebook or Instagram account, you can still use VR services to create a Meta account. If you’ve already linked your device to Facebook, you can delete your profile from your new Meta account and replace it with an email address.
If a person chooses to create their Meta account through their social media accounts, they will be linked to the Accounts Center, the central hub for connected experiences across Meta.
Logging into your VR device with your Oculus account is possible until January 1, 2023.
A Meta Horizon profile can be customized with a display name, a unique username, and a profile picture. This profile will be the hub for all things avatar-related.
Meta accounts will give users three options: “Open to Everyone”, “Friends and Family”, and “Solo”, each with different implications for who can connect to and see one’s account.
To create a Meta account, the user must be 13 years old or older (14 years old or older in Spain and South Korea). Accounts for minors aged 13 to 17 will be set to private by default.
“In the future, we’ll extend Meta account functionality so you can use it to log into other Meta devices” read the announcement.
