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BREAKING: Meta to Discontinue Third-Party AR Effects on All Meta Apps by Jan 2025
9 MIN READ
By Matthew H.
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Meta has announced plans to shut down its Meta Spark platform for third-party augmented reality (AR) effects on January 14, 2025. This decision will eliminate custom AR filters across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, limiting users to Meta-owned effects only.
The announcement has generated significant concern among the AR creator community and users who regularly incorporate these custom filters into their social media content. A frequent user of Instagram filters created by third-party developers expressed worry that Meta's official filters may not meet the diverse creative needs of users who have come to rely on third-party effects for self-expression.
Beyond aesthetic considerations, the change could have psychological implications. Mental health professionals note that many users depend on specific AR filters to enhance their confidence when posting online. The removal of these tools might cause anxiety or decreased self-esteem for individuals accustomed to presenting enhanced versions of themselves.
While Meta has committed to maintaining the platform until the shutdown date, allowing creators to continue developing effects until early 2025, the long-term impact on content creators who have built businesses around custom filter development remains uncertain.
Industry analysts speculate this move may be part of a strategy to consolidate control over AR experiences on Meta platforms or potentially precede the introduction of new AR technologies. The decision has prompted broader discussions about the future of augmented reality in social media and Meta's evolving approach to third-party developers.
