Meta - Revision history

Rudxain: link Forced account

2026-03-16T09:00:14Z

link Forced account

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:00, 16 March 2026
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	In 2014, Meta acquired Oculus VR for approximately $2 billion, which was known for developing the Oculus Rift and other virtual-reality (VR) products. Before the acquisition, users could create and use Oculus accounts to access their VR content. This allowed users more control over their privacy and data without needing to use Facebook.		In 2014, Meta acquired Oculus VR for approximately $2 billion, which was known for developing the Oculus Rift and other virtual-reality (VR) products. Before the acquisition, users could create and use Oculus accounts to access their VR content. This allowed users more control over their privacy and data without needing to use Facebook.

	After Oculus VR was purchased by Meta in October 2020, Oculus Quest and Rift S users were required to sign in with a Facebook account in order to continue to use their purchased VR headsets.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Robertson \|first=Adi \|date=20 Aug 2020 \|title=Facebook is making Oculus’ worst feature unavoidable \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/19/21375118/oculus-facebook-account-login-data-privacy-controversy-developers-competition \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=The Verge \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217195431/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/19/21375118/oculus-facebook-account-login-data-privacy-controversy-developers-competition \|archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref> This forced integration of Facebook accounts with Oculus devices created several issues for users, particularly those who preferred to keep their VR experience separate from social media.		After Oculus VR was purchased by Meta in October 2020, Oculus Quest and Rift S users were [[Forced account\|required to sign in]] with a Facebook account in order to continue to use their purchased VR headsets.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Robertson \|first=Adi \|date=20 Aug 2020 \|title=Facebook is making Oculus’ worst feature unavoidable \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/19/21375118/oculus-facebook-account-login-data-privacy-controversy-developers-competition \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=The Verge \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260217195431/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/19/21375118/oculus-facebook-account-login-data-privacy-controversy-developers-competition \|archive-date=17 Feb 2026}}</ref> This forced integration of Facebook accounts with Oculus devices created several issues for users, particularly those who preferred to keep their VR experience separate from social media.

	Because Oculus headsets were now tied to Facebook accounts, users who had their Facebook profiles suspended for any reason found themselves unable to access their purchased content, including games and apps, and unable to use their devices.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Robertson \|first=Adi \|date=15 Oct 2020 \|title=Facebook is accidentally locking some users out of their new Oculus headsets \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/15/21518194/oculus-quest-2-headset-facebook-account-suspension-problems \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=The Verge \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129053001/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/15/21518194/oculus-quest-2-headset-facebook-account-suspension-problems \|archive-date=29 Jan 2026}}</ref> Meta offered no options for Oculus VR users aside from going through Facebook's moderation process to attempt to regain access to their accounts.		Because Oculus headsets were now tied to Facebook accounts, users who had their Facebook profiles suspended for any reason found themselves unable to access their purchased content, including games and apps, and unable to use their devices.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Robertson \|first=Adi \|date=15 Oct 2020 \|title=Facebook is accidentally locking some users out of their new Oculus headsets \|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/15/21518194/oculus-quest-2-headset-facebook-account-suspension-problems \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=The Verge \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129053001/https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/15/21518194/oculus-quest-2-headset-facebook-account-suspension-problems \|archive-date=29 Jan 2026}}</ref> Meta offered no options for Oculus VR users aside from going through Facebook's moderation process to attempt to regain access to their accounts.

Rudxain: Add "External links" section, with some refs from the Talk page

2026-03-15T11:43:31Z

Add "External links" section, with some refs from the Talk page

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:43, 15 March 2026
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	The Commission determined that this binary choice violates DMA regulations, which require "gatekeeper" platforms to offer equivalent alternatives for users who decline personal data collection. The DMA mandates that large tech companies must obtain explicit consent before combining users' personal data across services, and cannot make service access conditional upon such consent.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hart \|first=Robert \|date=1 Jul 2024 \|title=Meta’s Ad-Free Subscriptions For Instagram And Facebook Break Europe’s Tech Rules—Possibly Drawing Billions In Fines, EU Says \|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/07/01/metas-ad-free-subscriptions-for-instagram-and-facebook-break-europes-tech-rules-possibly-drawing-billions-in-fines-eu-says/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=Forbes \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017110205/https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/07/01/metas-ad-free-subscriptions-for-instagram-and-facebook-break-europes-tech-rules-possibly-drawing-billions-in-fines-eu-says/ \|archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref>		The Commission determined that this binary choice violates DMA regulations, which require "gatekeeper" platforms to offer equivalent alternatives for users who decline personal data collection. The DMA mandates that large tech companies must obtain explicit consent before combining users' personal data across services, and cannot make service access conditional upon such consent.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Hart \|first=Robert \|date=1 Jul 2024 \|title=Meta’s Ad-Free Subscriptions For Instagram And Facebook Break Europe’s Tech Rules—Possibly Drawing Billions In Fines, EU Says \|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/07/01/metas-ad-free-subscriptions-for-instagram-and-facebook-break-europes-tech-rules-possibly-drawing-billions-in-fines-eu-says/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=Forbes \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251017110205/https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/07/01/metas-ad-free-subscriptions-for-instagram-and-facebook-break-europes-tech-rules-possibly-drawing-billions-in-fines-eu-says/ \|archive-date=17 Oct 2025}}</ref>

			==External links==
			*[https://salimvirani.com/facebook "Get your loved ones off Facebook"], by Salim Virani, published 2015, updated 2017
			*[https://stallman.org/facebook.html "Reasons not to be used by Facebook"], by Richard M. Stallman

	==References==		==References==
	{{reflist}}		{{reflist}}
	[[Category:Meta]]		[[Category:Meta]]

88.118.107.138: /* Funds "anti-bigtech" groups */

2026-03-07T11:58:28Z

Funds "anti-bigtech" groups

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:58, 7 March 2026
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	====Funds "anti-bigtech" groups====		====Funds "anti-bigtech" groups====
	~~Funds groups such as~~ [[Digital Childhood Alliance]] (https://www.~~reuters~~.com/~~investigates~~/~~special-report~~/~~meta-ai-chatbot~~-~~guidelines~~/)		The [[Digital Childhood Alliance]] has received funding from Meta, according to reporting by multiple sources.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Birnbaum \|first=Emily \|date=July 25, 2025 \|title=Meta Clashes With Apple, Google Over Child Age Check Legislation \|url=https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2025/07/25/833246.htm \|url-status=live}}</ref>

	===Meta Oculus VR===		===Meta Oculus VR===

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2026-02-24T13:06:29Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 13:06, 24 February 2026
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	====Upload of private user photos on phones to the cloud for AI training (June 2025)====		====Upload of private user photos on phones to the cloud for AI training (June 2025)====
	According to reports, some users have reported popups asking them to opt in to "cloud processing" of their photos when using the Story feature. This would give the app unrestricted access to all photos stored on the user's phone and upload all of them to the cloud on a regular basis, as opposed to just uploading those images explicitly chosen by the user to be posted on the platform. Users are incentivized to agree through the promise of custom collages and recaps.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Nguyen \|first=Tina \|date=June 28, 2025 \|title=Facebook is starting to feed its AI with private, unpublished photos \|url=https://www.theverge.com/meta/694685/meta-ai-camera-roll \|access-date=June 29, 2025 \|website=The Verge}}</ref>		According to reports, some users have reported popups asking them to opt in to "cloud processing" of their photos when using the Story feature. This would give the app unrestricted access to all photos stored on the user's phone and upload all of them to the cloud on a regular basis, as opposed to just uploading those images explicitly chosen by the user to be posted on the platform. Users are incentivized to agree through the promise of custom collages and recaps.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Nguyen \|first=Tina \|date=June 28, 2025 \|title=Facebook is starting to feed its AI with private, unpublished photos \|url=https://www.theverge.com/meta/694685/meta-ai-camera-roll \|access-date=June 29, 2025 \|website=The Verge \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260127051520/https://www.theverge.com/meta/694685/meta-ai-camera-roll \|archive-date=27 Jan 2026}}</ref>

	This would allow Meta to perform face recognition, track the past location of the user and their social circle based on the GPS metadata from all photos, train AI models with the photos, and much more. This also has security implications since the data on Meta's servers could be leaked or hacked at any time.		This would allow Meta to perform face recognition, track the past location of the user and their social circle based on the GPS metadata from all photos, train AI models with the photos, and much more. This also has security implications since the data on Meta's servers could be leaked or hacked at any time.

Bananabot: Added archive URLs for 2 citation(s) using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-23T12:39:43Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 12:39, 23 February 2026
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	====The Linux Ban====		====The Linux Ban====
	On January 19th 2025, Meta updated their internal policies to recognize the [[free and open source software]] and operating system Linux as a "cybersecurity threat".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|date=19 Jan 2025 \|title=Facebook ban \|url=https://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20250127#sitenews \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=distrowatch.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220124234/https://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20250127 \|archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tyson \|first=Mark \|date=17 Jan 2025 \|title=Facebook flags Linux topics as 'cybersecurity threats' — posts and users being blocked \|url=https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/facebook-flags-linux-topics-as-cybersecurity-threats-posts-and-users-being-blocked \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=Tom's Hardware \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212074620/https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/facebook-flags-linux-topics-as-cybersecurity-threats-posts-and-users-being-blocked \|archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> As part of this, many Facebook users had their accounts either locked or muted for merely mentioning Linux, most notably the Linux distribution tracking site, DistroWatch. DistroWatch claims they appealed the decision the next day and had it affirmed to them that "Linux-related material is staying on the cybersecurity filter" alongside the personal account the appeal was sent from being locked.<ref name=":1" /> This quickly gained media attention with many calling this out as irony given Meta's infrastructure mostly runs on Linux.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Proven \|first=Liam \|date=28 Jan 2025 \|title=Meta blocked Distrowatch links on Facebook while running Linux servers \|url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/28/facebook_blocks_distrowatch/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=The Register \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211053417/https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/28/facebook_blocks_distrowatch/ \|archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>		On January 19th 2025, Meta updated their internal policies to recognize the [[free and open source software]] and operating system Linux as a "cybersecurity threat".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web \|date=19 Jan 2025 \|title=Facebook ban \|url=https://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20250127#sitenews \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=distrowatch.com \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220124234/https://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?issue=20250127 \|archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|last=Tyson \|first=Mark \|date=17 Jan 2025 \|title=Facebook flags Linux topics as 'cybersecurity threats' — posts and users being blocked \|url=https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/facebook-flags-linux-topics-as-cybersecurity-threats-posts-and-users-being-blocked \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=Tom's Hardware \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212074620/https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/facebook-flags-linux-topics-as-cybersecurity-threats-posts-and-users-being-blocked \|archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> As part of this, many Facebook users had their accounts either locked or muted for merely mentioning Linux, most notably the Linux distribution tracking site, DistroWatch. DistroWatch claims they appealed the decision the next day and had it affirmed to them that "Linux-related material is staying on the cybersecurity filter" alongside the personal account the appeal was sent from being locked.<ref name=":1" /> This quickly gained media attention with many calling this out as irony given Meta's infrastructure mostly runs on Linux.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Proven \|first=Liam \|date=28 Jan 2025 \|title=Meta blocked Distrowatch links on Facebook while running Linux servers \|url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/28/facebook_blocks_distrowatch/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=The Register \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211053417/https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/28/facebook_blocks_distrowatch/ \|archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>
	9 days later on January 28th, PCMAG posted A comment to them by Meta directly confirming this was an error following Distrowatch's account being reinstated and the blocking of any Linux related content being lifted.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Kan \|first=Michael \|date=28 Jan 2025 \|title=Facebook Accidentally Blocks Users From Posting About Linux \|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/facebook-accidentally-blocks-users-from-posting-about-linux \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=PCMag}}</ref>		9 days later on January 28th, PCMAG posted A comment to them by Meta directly confirming this was an error following Distrowatch's account being reinstated and the blocking of any Linux related content being lifted.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Kan \|first=Michael \|date=28 Jan 2025 \|title=Facebook Accidentally Blocks Users From Posting About Linux \|url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/facebook-accidentally-blocks-users-from-posting-about-linux \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=PCMag \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251122144657/https://www.pcmag.com/news/facebook-accidentally-blocks-users-from-posting-about-linux \|archive-date=22 Nov 2025}}</ref>

	====Tracking pixel====		====Tracking pixel====
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	===''United States of America v. Facebook''===		===''United States of America v. Facebook''===
	In July 2019, Facebook agreed to pay $5 billion USD and implement corrective measures after it was sued by the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for "misleading users about the extent to which third-party application developers could access users' personal information."<ref>{{Cite web \|date=24 Jul 2019 \|title=Facebook Agrees to Pay $5 Billion and Implement Robust New Protections of User Information in Settlement of Data-Privacy Claims \|url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/facebook-agrees-pay-5-billion-and-implement-robust-new-protections-user-information \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=www.justice.gov}}</ref>		In July 2019, Facebook agreed to pay $5 billion USD and implement corrective measures after it was sued by the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for "misleading users about the extent to which third-party application developers could access users' personal information."<ref>{{Cite web \|date=24 Jul 2019 \|title=Facebook Agrees to Pay $5 Billion and Implement Robust New Protections of User Information in Settlement of Data-Privacy Claims \|url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/facebook-agrees-pay-5-billion-and-implement-robust-new-protections-user-information \|url-status=live \|access-date=26 Apr 2025 \|website=www.justice.gov \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251212073643/https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/facebook-agrees-pay-5-billion-and-implement-robust-new-protections-user-information \|archive-date=12 Dec 2025}}</ref>

	====Controversy over default privacy settings (2010–2018)====		====Controversy over default privacy settings (2010–2018)====

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2026-02-23T06:13:33Z

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Show changes

149.22.84.168: /* Funds "anti-bigtech" groups */ added source

2026-02-20T08:49:22Z

Funds "anti-bigtech" groups: added source

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:49, 20 February 2026
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	This was exacerbated when mobile platforms became more relevant because they allow app vendors to display notifications on the home screen of the device as well as red badges with notification counts or exclamation marks overlaid over the app icon. Incoming notifications also allow mobile apps to be woken from suspended energy saving state and do active processing in the foreground, which makes it easier for Facebook to do background tracking and transmit information back more often. This practice was also adopted by Instagram when Meta (then called Facebook) took over the platform.		This was exacerbated when mobile platforms became more relevant because they allow app vendors to display notifications on the home screen of the device as well as red badges with notification counts or exclamation marks overlaid over the app icon. Incoming notifications also allow mobile apps to be woken from suspended energy saving state and do active processing in the foreground, which makes it easier for Facebook to do background tracking and transmit information back more often. This practice was also adopted by Instagram when Meta (then called Facebook) took over the platform.

	==== Funds "anti-bigtech" groups ====		====Funds "anti-bigtech" groups====
	Funds groups such as [[Digital Childhood Alliance]]		Funds groups such as [[Digital Childhood Alliance]] (https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/meta-ai-chatbot-guidelines/)

	===Meta Oculus VR===		===Meta Oculus VR===

149.22.84.168: Added that they fund anti-bigtech groups such as DCA

2026-02-20T08:48:04Z

Added that they fund anti-bigtech groups such as DCA

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:48, 20 February 2026
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	This was exacerbated when mobile platforms became more relevant because they allow app vendors to display notifications on the home screen of the device as well as red badges with notification counts or exclamation marks overlaid over the app icon. Incoming notifications also allow mobile apps to be woken from suspended energy saving state and do active processing in the foreground, which makes it easier for Facebook to do background tracking and transmit information back more often. This practice was also adopted by Instagram when Meta (then called Facebook) took over the platform.		This was exacerbated when mobile platforms became more relevant because they allow app vendors to display notifications on the home screen of the device as well as red badges with notification counts or exclamation marks overlaid over the app icon. Incoming notifications also allow mobile apps to be woken from suspended energy saving state and do active processing in the foreground, which makes it easier for Facebook to do background tracking and transmit information back more often. This practice was also adopted by Instagram when Meta (then called Facebook) took over the platform.

			==== Funds "anti-bigtech" groups ====
			Funds groups such as [[Digital Childhood Alliance]]

	===Meta Oculus VR===		===Meta Oculus VR===

SinexTitan: logo changed from scalar to vector graphics

2026-01-18T19:38:34Z

logo changed from scalar to vector graphics

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:38, 18 January 2026
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	\|Founded=2004		\|Founded=2004
	\|Industry=Social media, Advertising, Artificial intelligence		\|Industry=Social media, Advertising, Artificial intelligence
	\|Logo=Meta.~~webp~~		\|Logo=Meta logo.svg
	\|ParentCompany=		\|ParentCompany=
	\|Type=Public		\|Type=Public
	\|Website=https://meta.com/		\|Website=https://meta.com/
	}}		}}

	[[wikipedia:Meta_Platforms\|'''Meta Platforms, Inc.''']], formerly known as Facebook, is a multinational technology conglomerate primarily known for its social media platforms, including Facebook, [[Instagram]], [[WhatsApp]], and Messenger. Founded in 2004 by [[Mark Zuckerberg]], Facebook quickly grew into one of the largest social networks in the world. Over the years, the company has expanded its business model, incorporating advertising, data collection, and virtual reality products, with a focus on connecting users globally.		[[wikipedia:Meta_Platforms\|'''Meta Platforms, Inc.''']], formerly known as Facebook, is a multinational technology conglomerate primarily known for its social media platforms, including Facebook, [[Instagram]], [[WhatsApp]], and Messenger. Founded in 2004 by [[Mark Zuckerberg]], Facebook quickly grew into one of the largest social networks in the world. Over the years, the company has expanded its business model, incorporating advertising, data collection, and virtual reality products, with a focus on connecting users globally.

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	Users can reduce the amount of data these services can harvest by using the browser version in an incognito tab instead of using dedicated apps. Installing an adblocker is also advisable. However, not all features may be accessible this way.		Users can reduce the amount of data these services can harvest by using the browser version in an incognito tab instead of using dedicated apps. Installing an adblocker is also advisable. However, not all features may be accessible this way.

	==== '''Forced changes in terms of service.''' ====		===='''Forced changes in terms of service.'''====
	[[File:Email sent to Meta users.png\|thumb\|No options given, you accept.]]		[[File:Email sent to Meta users.png\|thumb\|No options given, you accept.]]
	14 Aug 25 Meta sent another of their notorious emails with the text "By continuing to use a Meta account to access our products after '''12 September 2025''', you agree to the revised '''Supplemental Meta Platform Technologies Terms of Service''' and acknowledge that these updates will apply to you."		14 Aug 25 Meta sent another of their notorious emails with the text "By continuing to use a Meta account to access our products after '''12 September 2025''', you agree to the revised '''Supplemental Meta Platform Technologies Terms of Service''' and acknowledge that these updates will apply to you."

2001:AC8:30:D:8C6C:3E08:AE4D:AA2B: changed "Forced changes in terms of service" to sub heading 2

2026-01-18T11:11:50Z

changed "Forced changes in terms of service" to sub heading 2

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:11, 18 January 2026
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	Users can reduce the amount of data these services can harvest by using the browser version in an incognito tab instead of using dedicated apps. Installing an adblocker is also advisable. However, not all features may be accessible this way.		Users can reduce the amount of data these services can harvest by using the browser version in an incognito tab instead of using dedicated apps. Installing an adblocker is also advisable. However, not all features may be accessible this way.

	'''Forced changes in terms of service.'''		==== '''Forced changes in terms of service.''' ====
	[[File:Email sent to Meta users.png\|thumb\|No options given, you accept.]]		[[File:Email sent to Meta users.png\|thumb\|No options given, you accept.]]
	14 Aug 25 Meta sent another of their notorious emails with the text "By continuing to use a Meta account to access our products after '''12 September 2025''', you agree to the revised '''Supplemental Meta Platform Technologies Terms of Service''' and acknowledge that these updates will apply to you."		14 Aug 25 Meta sent another of their notorious emails with the text "By continuing to use a Meta account to access our products after '''12 September 2025''', you agree to the revised '''Supplemental Meta Platform Technologies Terms of Service''' and acknowledge that these updates will apply to you."