NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has introduced a subscription plan for users in most of Europe, allowing them to remove ads from the platforms.
This move is in response to EU regulations, and it requires millions of users to choose between viewing personalized advertisements or paying for an ad-free experience.
Web users in Europe can subscribe to this service for €9.99 per month, while iOS and Android users will be charged €12.99 each month. However, this subscription option will not be available in the UK.
The decision to introduce this subscription option follows Meta’s earlier fine of €390 million (£340 million) for violating EU data rules concerning advertisements.
The company was instructed not to “force consent” on users regarding data usage or require them to leave the platforms.
In response, Meta announced its intention to seek users’ consent in the EU before allowing businesses to target advertising, addressing the changing regulatory landscape in the region.
Offering both a free, ad-supported plan and an ad-free paid subscription aligns with the regulatory requirements and may encourage users to opt for the free option, helping Meta comply with the regulations while maintaining its advertising business, a significant source of revenue.
Meta stated that this new subscription service primarily aims to address EU regulatory concerns rather than generate additional revenue.
They emphasized their commitment to an ad-supported internet that provides access to personalized products and services for all users, regardless of their financial status.
The company sees the subscription option as a way to balance European regulatory requirements, user choice, and their commitment to serving all people in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
Under the new subscription plan, Meta will charge €9.99 (£8.72) per month for an ad-free Facebook or Instagram account on desktop devices. Users can also link additional accounts for an extra charge of €6 each.
On mobile devices, the subscription price for a single account increases to €12.99 due to additional commissions imposed by Apple’s and Google’s app stores.
As of now, the EU has 258 million monthly Facebook users and 257 million monthly Instagram users. Meta’s introduction of a subscription service provides users with greater choice and privacy while helping the company meet EU regulations in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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