Is Facebook changing company name? Shift to metaverse ignites rebranding plan, report says
Is Facebook going to change its name?
The tech giant is planning to announce a rebrand which would include changing its company name, according to The Verge.
The move would place Facebook and other apps, including Instagram, WhatsApp and Oculus, under an umbrella company with a new name, the report said. This is similar to the structure of Alphabet, the parent company of Google.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to discuss the rebrand at the company’s Connect conference on Oct. 28, but could announce something sooner, the report said.
In a statement emailed to USA TODAY, Facebook said it does not comment on rumors or speculation.
The reported rebrand follows explosive testimony earlier this month from a whistleblower urging lawmakers to regulate the tech giant. Former Facebook project manager Frances Haugen told a Senate subcommittee the social network “put their astronomical profits before people.”
the metaverse, a new way to connect people online leveraging augmented and virtual reality.
►More Facebook:Company paying fine to settle US suit on discrimination
►New smartphones:Google unveils Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro smartphones starting at $599
Earlier this week, Facebook revealed it was hiring 10,000 people in the European Union over the next five years to help build the platform, which supporters of the metaverse believe could eventually replace the internet.
►Tech news straight to your inbox:Subscribe to the Talking Tech newsletter
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.