Lina Khan Was Right: Why Meta’s VR Collapse Matters
Questions about whether strong antitrust enforcement still matters are back in focus—and the answer may lie in Meta’s struggling virtual reality ambitions. Once hailed as the future of the internet, the metaverse has lost momentum, leaving behind shuttered projects and disappointed communities. The collapse of popular VR experiences highlights why Lina Khan pushed to expand antitrust laws. Her warnings about Big Tech consolidation now feel less theoretical and more urgent.
Meta’s Metaverse Dream Is Losing Steam
Excitement around virtual worlds peaked during the pandemic, when people sought digital ways to connect. Mark Zuckerberg doubled down on this vision, rebranding Facebook into Meta and investing billions into VR hardware and software. Headsets like the Quest line were meant to anchor a new digital ecosystem.
Reality, however, hasn’t matched the hype. Despite heavy spending, user adoption has lagged, and key projects have quietly faded away. What once looked like a bold leap forward now resembles a cautionary tale about overestimating emerging technology trends.
The Rise and Fall of Supernatural VR Fitness
One of the most telling examples is Supernatural, a VR fitness app developed by Within. It built a loyal community by blending exercise with immersive environments, offering users a unique and engaging way to stay active. For many, it became more than just a workout—it was a daily habit and a social outlet.
When Meta acquired Within, the move raised concerns among regulators. Critics worried that absorbing innovative startups could limit competition and reduce consumer choice. Those fears gained weight when the platform was eventually shut down, leaving users without a service they relied on.
Lina Khan’s Antitrust Warning Gains Relevance
As head of the Federal Trade Commission, Lina Khan attempted to block Meta’s acquisition of Within. Her argument wasn’t just about market share—it focused on preserving future innovation and protecting niche communities. At the time, the case was widely debated and often dismissed as overly aggressive.
Now, the shutdown of Supernatural illustrates her broader point. Antitrust decisions aren’t just about immediate competition; they shape the long-term health of entire ecosystems. When large companies absorb smaller innovators, the consequences may only become visible years later.
The Human Cost Behind Tech Consolidation
Discussions about antitrust law often sound abstract, filled with legal terms and economic theories. But the impact is deeply human. Communities that formed around Supernatural lost not just a product, but a shared experience that supported their physical and mental well-being.
This outcome underscores a key argument from Khan’s approach: regulators must consider how products affect real people, not just markets. Digital platforms are increasingly central to daily life, and their disappearance can disrupt routines, relationships, and even health habits.
What Meta’s VR Struggles Mean for the Future
Meta’s VR challenges don’t signal the end of immersive technology, but they do highlight the risks of concentrated power in emerging industries. Innovation thrives in competitive environments where smaller players can experiment and grow independently.
Khan’s push for broader antitrust enforcement aimed to protect that dynamic. While her policies faced criticism, recent developments suggest they addressed real vulnerabilities in the tech ecosystem. The failure of certain VR initiatives shows how easily promising ideas can be lost when absorbed into larger corporate strategies.
A Turning Point for Antitrust in Tech
Momentum is building around rethinking how governments regulate Big Tech. Policymakers are increasingly questioning whether traditional antitrust frameworks are sufficient for the digital age. Meta’s VR journey provides a concrete example of why these debates matter.
Khan’s legacy may ultimately be defined not by the cases she won, but by the questions she forced the industry to confront. As technology continues to evolve, balancing innovation with competition will remain a critical challenge. The story of Meta’s metaverse ambitions serves as a powerful reminder that the stakes go far beyond business—they shape the future of how people connect, create, and live online.
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