Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has announced plans to shut down its augmented reality (AR) platform Spark AR in 2024, a move that has angered many creators who have built their businesses around the platform. Spark AR, launched in 2017, allowed creators to build AR effects for use in Meta’s apps like Instagram and Facebook. However, Meta now plans to shift its focus to a new AR platform called the ‘Meta Horizon Worlds Ingress’ which will be more tightly integrated with its metaverse ambitions. The shutdown of Spark AR has sparked outrage among creators who have invested significant time and resources into building AR effects on the platform. Many are concerned about the loss of income and the need to rebuild their businesses from scratch on a new platform. Meta has stated that it will provide tools to help creators transition to the new platform, but the move has highlighted the risks of relying on a single company’s platform for one’s livelihood.