Not trying to convince you or anything, but the pairing process can be done via web, without the installing the app.
Staying away from meta products is, in any case, a good idea.
Huh, maybe I’ll check out a YouTube video or something.
The larger issue is that Linux-compatible games are fairly limited, so I’d mostly be getting it for messing around with developing VR games. I’m guessing I’d have a much better experience with an Index and SteamVR than with a Meta product, but $500 is probably worth a day or two of pain.
I’m fine giving Meta a throwaway email if it’s a one-time thing (or only when it needs updates), but there’s no way I’m installing an app on my phone or creating an account with them. I’m also not letting it touch the Internet once it’s setup, and I can handle the router config for that (it’ll just go on the same DMZ with my cameras).