Meta Platforms is considering launching ad-free subscription options for Instagram and Facebook users in Europe to address European Union regulations. Among the pricing options discussed, a 10 euro ($10.49) per month plan appears most likely. This move aims to adapt to regulations that could limit Meta’s ability to personalize ads without user consent and impact its primary revenue stream. The implementation of this subscription service is expected in the near future.
Providing users with the option to choose between a free, ad-supported plan and a paid subscription could encourage more users to select the ad-supported plan, enabling Meta to adhere to regulations while preserving its advertising business.
For mobile device users, Meta may increase the price of a single account to approximately 13 euros due to commissions imposed by Apple and Google’s app stores. Additionally, Meta was fined 390 million euros by Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner and is prohibited from using the “contract” legal basis to send users ads based on their online activity.
Meta plans to seek consent from EU users before enabling businesses to target ads, in response to changing regulatory demands in the region. While the company values free services supported by personalized ads, it is actively exploring ways to align with evolving regulations.
(Source: Supantha Mukherjee | Akash Sriram | Jyoti Narayan | Sonia Cheema | Arun Koyyur | Reuters)
