Looking for a Paperweight? Buy an Oculus Quest 2 and Get Your Facebook Account Locked

[Raevenlord]

We've all been there - we've all looked longingly at someone elses' flashy paperweight - an Escher puzzle, a coffee mug, a smartphone, a badly flashed GPU or even a face mask are all worthy contenders vying for our attention. Facebook, however, has been turning the paperweight game on its head, and in the real world too - some users who bought the most recent Quest 2 headset (which is apparently selling pretty well) are being given the opportunity to adorn their desks with this high-tech, low-key paperweight due to its Facebook-required integration. Essentially, users who have their Facebook accounts banned (or, more specifically, with pending verification) have been met with difficulties in actually using their Quest 2 (which, by all accounts, is a huge step forward for the VR space).





Facebook's integration with Oculus was something that was guaranteed not to happen back during the acquisition; however, recently, we've discovered that Facebook integration would become mandatory for all Oculus headsets (previous models will be grandfathered via their Oculus accounts until 2023), and that the Quest 2 would be the first headset to mandate that users link their Facebook accounts. The problem stems from Facebook flagging accounts for verification - if that user has an Oculus Quest 2, they won't be able to use the device until the account has been successfully verified. This can be a lengthy process, as Facebook employs a photograph verification process that can sometimes take upwards of three months to get human validation form Facebook's side. Users trying to reactivate old Facebook accounts to use with the Quest 2 have been successfully linked, only to be immediately locked out due to identity verification requirements.

Facebook's idea on Real Identity (where any one account actually fully represents a single person that exists in the non-digital world, and is thus much more valuable for data gathering and advertising revenue) is partly to blame here, as it may bring an overzealous disposition to the table - at least when it comes to Oculus Quest 2 paperweights. For now, Facebook is directing Quest 2 users who have run into these account verification issues to try and clear them with Oculus support. here's hoping that process takes a little less than three months.

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[EarthDog]

Well, if I can prevent assimilation, I will... so........ no go with these!

device until de account has been successfully verified.

Oh yeah... 'de'?

Also, the title is clickbait at best, misleading to be fair...no? FB doesn't ban your account when you try to hook these up... you even said, it is the verification process that is already in limbo that needs to be corrected, right? If your FB account is verified, there isn't an issue.

 

[bonehead123]

w.T.f. ??????

Seems pretty shitty IMHO, unless I am just missing somethin.....

 

[Valantar]

Wait, I get that face masks are attention grabbing, but paperweights? That's a rather odd statement. Not only do they have crucial functions beyond holding down papers (without face masks, surgery would be exponentially more risky, among other things), but given their very lightweight construction and materials they would be exceptionally poor paperweights too. I get that this was likely meant as a joke, but this just doesn't compute. And that's without taking into account the current prevalence of right-wing conspiracy theories about face masks, of course.

 

[fynxer]

That cannot even be legal, that you are forced to have an active Facebook account to use VR. And if you get in trouble in the social media the your VR is worthless. The more I think about it, the more insane it is.

Deleted my Facebook years ago and will not get a new one, it is just a cesspool of human waste there.

 

[bug]

Guy without a FB account and no desire for paying $500+ for VR:

 

[Slizzo]

Also, the title is clickbait at best, misleading to be fair...no? FB doesn't ban your account when you try to hook these up... you even said, it is the verification process that is already in limbo that needs to be corrected, right? If your FB account is verified, there isn't an issue.

The problem is people have been creating FB accounts, and able to log in. Then they link their Oculus account, and are promptly banned without ability for review by FB's system.

Then users contact Oculus support, and Oculus support tells the customers that they can't help, and need to contact Facebook as it is a Facebook account issue. This may be aleviated a little currently, as Oculus support SAYS that they are recommending these customers open tickets with Oculus, but...

The issue, is that people will buy the Quest 2, and will not be able to use the device when they create accounts and need to wait for a manual review that could take months to be completed. Would you pay $300 or $400 for something now that you may or may not be able to use in 3 months?

 

[SKD007]

I bought it and used my FB account but all I do is playing SteamVR games wirelessly and wont be using any of the social stuff in that carp.. Good luck collecting that data (FB ) on top I head Quest original developer is giving 5G to who ever can jailbreak Quest 2.. that is awesome (FB is going to be )

 

[EarthDog]

The problem is people have been creating FB accounts, and able to log in. Then they link their Oculus account, and are promptly banned without ability for review by FB's system.

Then users contact Oculus support, and Oculus support tells the customers that they can't help, and need to contact Facebook as it is a Facebook account issue. This may be aleviated a little currently, as Oculus support SAYS that they are recommending these customers open tickets with Oculus, but...

The issue, is that people will buy the Quest 2, and will not be able to use the device when they create accounts and need to wait for a manual review that could take months to be completed. Would you pay $300 or $400 for something now that you may or may not be able to use in 3 months?

I would be (I am) a verified and registered user so this wouldn't be a problem. It does suck that those who are trying to make it happen, indeed. However, get your shiza in order and this doesn't happen.

 

[Vya Domus]

Facebook's idea on Real Identity (where any one account actually fully represents a single person that exists in the non-digital world, and is thus much more valuable for data gathering and advertising revenue) is partly to blame here, as it may bring an overzealous disposition to the table - at least when it comes to Oculus Quest 2 paperweights. For now, Facebook is directing Quest 2 users who have run into these account verification issues to try and clear them with Oculus support. here's hoping that process takes a little less than three months.

Funny, people are more worried that it will take three months to active this garbage than they are about the fact that this thing basically eliminates any chance of having anonymity. Data gathering and advertising revenue my ass, this is the first step in achieving the ultimate control and monitoring device for anything that you do on the internet.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

So... Valve Index or HP Reverb it is then.

 

[Raevenlord]

Wait, I get that face masks are attention grabbing, but paperweights? That's a rather odd statement. Not only do they have crucial functions beyond holding down papers (without face masks, surgery would be exponentially more risky, among other things), but given their very lightweight construction and materials they would be exceptionally poor paperweights too. I get that this was likely meant as a joke, but this just doesn't compute. And that's without taking into account the current prevalence of right-wing conspiracy theories about face masks, of course.

It's meant to represent the times, when you have face masks lying on top of your worktable, on some documents. Paperweight doesn't mean meaningless - not literally, which is how it's used in this context.

 

[dorsetknob]

was finally looking to buy a Rift CV1 but wont bother if it takes 3 months to get a working wuckbook account.

The issue, is that people will buy the Quest 2, and will not be able to use the device when they create accounts and need to wait for a manual review that could take months to be completed. Would you pay $300 or $400 for something now that you may or may not be able to use in 3 months?

or any Oculus Product new or Used

 

[Kapone33]

Why can I see a Class Action lawsuit coming from this? Especially if it takes months to be resolved. That really sucks as CP2077 supports VR too.

 

[Raevenlord]

Why can I see a Class Action lawsuit coming from this? Especially if it takes months to be resolved. That really sucks as CP2077 supports VR too.

Wait, what? Cyberpunk 2077 supports VR? When was this announced?

 

[ValenOne]

I'm not paying FB's dictatorship.

 

[Kapone33]

Wait, what? Cyberpunk 2077 supports VR? When was this announced?

I was talking to my nephew who and he said one of his friends who is in the know said that is one of the things they are working on. Apparently Covid and Half Life Alex have had a positive uptick in VR adoption.

 

[ZoneDymo]

I mean, im sorry but if you buy this...you are willingly doing this to yourself...its like buying an apple device and then being suprised you cant maintain it yourself...

 

[biffzinker]

Are these Facebook accounts that were already banned in violation of rules on the social side?

 

[Raevenlord]

Are these Facebook accounts that were already banned in violation of rules on the social side?

This is in regards to accounts that are locked for verification for any reason. If the account you've (mandatorily) linked to the Quest 2 is flagged for verification, you won't be able to log in to the account until the issue is sorted out with Facebook, which menas your Quest 2 won't be usable as a result.

 

[Dux]

Just waiting for my HP Reverb G2 to arrive. Quest 2 costs only $300 + your soul.

 

[windwhirl]

All the more reason to avoid this otherwise nice piece of hardware.

 

[ExcuseMeWtf]

Wait, I get that face masks are attention grabbing, but paperweights? That's a rather odd statement. Not only do they have crucial functions beyond holding down papers (without face masks, surgery would be exponentially more risky, among other things), but given their very lightweight construction and materials they would be exceptionally poor paperweights too. I get that this was likely meant as a joke, but this just doesn't compute. And that's without taking into account the current prevalence of right-wing conspiracy theories about face masks, of course.

You must be fun at parties.

 

[Beertintedgoggles]

I wonder how long until Facebook implements a 'social score' (just like the Black Mirror episode). It's all fun to poke at the tin foil wearers until it's

*** Post deleted due to insufficient privileges ***

Edit: I hope people realize this is sarcasm and techpowerup is not censoring anything.

 

[Diverge]

I been watching VR tech for a while now, curious, but wanting to wait for tech to mature more. Recently I scored some nvidia 3000 series FE cards, and decided I wanted to try one of the upcoming VR sets. The Quest 2 looked good to me, considering the price wasn't expensive, so if I didn't like it or only used it a few times, it wouldn't be such a loss. Then I saw the part about requiring FB login and decided it wasn't for me. In the end I chose to preorder the Reverb G2, due to is superior image quality, and not be tied to a company who's business model is to collect personal info to sell to 3rd parties.

I'm not a fan of FB, and don't share my personal info on it. So I don't need them snooping on everything I do on my PC...