Mocking Meta: Facebook’s virtual reality name-change prompts backlash

US senator Ed Markey refused to even acknowledge the name change, saying: "Facebook wants us to start calling it Meta, but we’re just going to keep calling it what it is — a threat to privacy, democracy, and children.”

Facebook employees unveil a new logo and the name ‘Meta’ on the sign in front of company headquarters. PIcture: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The announcement by Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg that the social media giant will change the name of its holding company to Meta in a virtual-reality rebrand has prompted dismay and bemusement.

Yesterday, Zuckerberg said Meta would encompass Facebook as well as apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and the virtual reality brand Oculus.