Meta, the famous social network firm, has expanded access to its metaverse app, Horizon Worlds, to users in France and Spain. This is among the company’s expansion plans to offer metaverse-based services in Europe.
Meanwhile, the company released the app in 2020, but consumers could only use it on an invite-only basis. However, the company rolled out the full features last December to users in Canada and the US.
Meta Expands Access To Horizon Worlds App To France And Spain
Meta, previously known as Facebook, is increasing its metaverse services in Europe. Recently, the firm said it had launched its metaverse app, Horizon Worlds, in France and Spain.
According to the firm’s post, residents of France and Spain above 18 years can now enjoy its metaverse service. They can have immersive virtual experiences using the company’s Virtual Reality headsets.
Meta’s Horizon Worlds allow users to visit a digital world using VR headsets. In the digital world, avatars are used to represent each individual.
Avatars are free to move around the worlds developed by other users and the experiences created by firms. Launching this application in both countries would help to boost the company’s metaverse presence in Europe.
Earlier, the metaverse-based firm stated that it wants to expand its digital offering in Europe before 2023. In 2020 when the then Facebook released the app, it was available to only beta users.
However, the company officially launched the app in Canada and the US in December. Afterwards, the company launched the metaverse platform in Ireland, Iceland, and the UK in 2022.
Meta Places Spain At The Centre Of Its Metaverse Plans
Spain has spent billions of dollars to develop a data centre in Talavera de la Reina. This makes it a good fit for Meta’s metaverse plans. Talking about the recent development, the VP of cross-Meta products, Javier Olivan, stated that:
“Spain is leading Europe in terms of technological advancement. Two tech hubs in the country include Madrid and Barcelona. We have decided to place Spain at the centre of our plans as we strive to promote the metaverse.”
Additionally, Meta plans to build a worker’s hub in Madrid. Another initiative the company is working on is a Metaverse Lab. The company will partner with Telefonica to attract companies to develop metaverse-based products for its app.
Furthermore, the Spanish authority has asked Meta to respect the laws in the country. This pertains to how the company handles user data stored in its applications.
Local media reported that Spain’s president, Pedro Sánchez, said the data of Spanish users must remain in the country. Also, Meta is to process them according to its national laws.