Oculus Quest 2: Meta To Talk About Children’s VR Safety With UK’s Data Watchdog

Meta, formerly Facebook, developed its virtual reality (VR) headset into a fantastic gaming console. It is an excellent product, but it’s not intended for younger kids. 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is set to discuss with Meta about Oculus Quest 2 safety. ICO is the UK’s independent authority established to protect individuals’ information rights and data privacy.

The ICO wants to clarify whether Meta’s VR business complies with their children’s code. The code aims to ensure that kids can access online services appropriate for their use. An advocacy group recently found evidence of harassment of below 18-year-olds in a popular third-party virtual reality chat app. 

Meta states that they are working to implement the code with the ICO. The company said they are committed to meeting ICO’s guidelines and the regulations stipulated in the code. Likewise, Meta is willing to provide young people with age-appropriate experiences. 

Users of Oculus 2 should be over 13 years old, and the company’s recommendation says: Adults should monitor how their children use the said device. 

However, Beeban Kidron, the author of the children’s code, was concerned that the safety tests were insufficient. She told the Guardian that the kids using VR headsets could access chat rooms and other risky features. She added that children could access the chat rooms by ticking a box declaring they meet the minimum age requirements.

Virtual Chat

The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) raised the issue of child safety in VR. The campaign group analyzed the popular third-party app called VRChat. The app works on several platforms, including Oculus, accessible in the VR headset’s app store. 

Based on CCDH’s research, there were pieces of evidence that under-18s using virtual chat were:

• Exposed to graphic sexual content
• Among users who experienced bullying, abuse, and sexual harassment
• Prepared to repeat racist smears and extremists talking points 

The BBC has contacted VRChat for comment pertaining to Oculus Quest 2 safety. According to Meta, VRChats’ community guidelines say that “harassment and pornography are not allowed.” Also, “it doesn’t allow hate speech including language, actions, and symbols.” 

Continuous Efforts to Protect Children’s Privacy

The ICO plans further discussions with Meta regarding children’s data privacy and protection on Oculus and VR services. 

Andy Burrows from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children also expressed apprehensions about the Oculus Quest 2 safety. Burrows said children could be exposed to inappropriate content when using the VR headset.

Meta conveyed that they are working to implement the standards that conform with the Age-Appropriate Design Code, with guidance from the ICO. 

What is Oculus Quest 2

The Oculus Quest 2 (now also known as Meta Quest 2) is a VR headset designed by Facebook Technologies, a division of Meta Platforms. It is the successor to the firm’s first headset, the Oculus Quest. The Quest 2 was officially launched on September 16, 2020.

The 64 GB model was priced at US$299, a $100 decrease over the original Oculus Quest. Then in 2021, it was replaced by a 128 GB model with the same price as the original 64 GB model.

Like its predecessor, the Quest 2 can be used as a standalone headset with an internal, Android-based operating system or with Oculus-compatible VR software running on a desktop computer. 

Since its launch, the Oculus Quest 2 software has been updated with additional features. The company also revealed that the fitness tracker app called Oculus Move would be released soon.