Meta to Remove Third-Party AR Filters from Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp by January 2025
Meta has announced that as of January 2025, it will discontinue third-party augmented reality (AR) filters across its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This decision affects over two million user-generated filters, many of which are known for altering appearance in ways that can contribute to negative body image and mental health issues. The move comes as part of Meta’s shift in focus towards artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, with a pledge to invest $35-40 billion in AI development.
Despite the official rationale of prioritizing other business objectives, critics argue that the removal of these filters is unlikely to address the deeper issues associated with unrealistic beauty standards. Historically, Meta has faced backlash for allowing AR filters that can exacerbate body image issues, and previous attempts to ban controversial filters, such as “surgery” filters, have seen limited success. The current ban may lead users to seek alternative platforms for similar technologies, potentially complicating efforts to manage the impact of these tools on mental health.
Furthermore, the removal of third-party filters could drive users to covert methods of accessing and using beautifying filters, thereby undermining transparency and media literacy. The lack of watermarking for third-party filters on Instagram has already led to instances where users re-upload altered images to obscure their use of these filters. With more sophisticated AI-powered filters emerging on other platforms, the challenge of distinguishing edited images from reality is expected to grow, complicating efforts to address the broader issues of digital beauty standards.
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