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Zuckerberg Sorry for Virtual Tour of Devastated Puerto Rico

Zuckerberg Sorry for Virtual Tour of Devastated Puerto Rico
Cartoon avatar of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg appears with backdrop of real flooding in Puerto Rico. (Facebook)

Wednesday, 11 October 2017 05:34 PM EDT

Mark Zuckerberg has apologized for showcasing Facebook's virtual reality capability with a tour of hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

The Facebook founder and another executive discussed the platform's virtual reality project through avatars in a video recorded live Monday.

The video begins with the avatars pictured on the roof of Facebook's Mountain View, California, headquarters before heading to Puerto Rico by using a 360-degree video recorded by National Public Radio as a backdrop.

"The tone-deafness of the video was pretty pronounced and even though the content of his video pointed to all of the positive work Facebook was doing in Puerto Rico, seeing a couple of cartoons chatting about it in VR have made the executives appear pretty out of touch," TechCrunch commented.

Zuckerberg later responded to critics, writing that his goal of showing "how VR can raise awareness and help us see what's happening in different parts of the world" wasn't clear. He says he's sorry to anyone who was offended.

Facebook is also working to restore internet connectivity on the island and has donated money to the relief effort.

© Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Mark Zuckerberg has apologized for showcasing Facebook's virtual reality capability with a tour of hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.
mark zuckerberg, facebook, puerto rico, VR
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2017-34-11
Wednesday, 11 October 2017 05:34 PM
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