Meta has announced it will discontinue all third-party face filters and Augmented Reality (AR) effects on Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger beginning January 14. This change impacts millions of user-generated filters created through the Meta Spark platform, while Meta’s own AR effects will remain available.

The decision follows concerns over the negative impact of AR filters on mental health, particularly among young women. This move has sparked debate among users and creators, many of whom rely on AR tools for self-expression and audience engagement. As creators explore alternatives like Snapchat and TikTok, questions arise about how this shift could affect Meta's user engagement moving forward.

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