WSJ Reports Possibility of Ad-Free Subscription Option for Facebook and Instagram Users in Europe
According to the Wall Street Journal, Meta intends to offer European Facebook and Instagram users the choice to pay for versions of the social media platforms that are free from advertisements. This move is aimed at adhering to the stringent data privacy regulations in the region.
The company wants to charge users about 10 euros ($10.50) a month to use Instagram or Facebook without ads on desktop browsers, the newspaper cited unidentified people as saying in the proposal. Adding new accounts would cost 6 euros.
Mobile prices would be higher, around 13 euros per month, because Meta has to take into account the fees charged by Apple and Google’s app stores for in-app payments, the newspaper says.
Meta hopes to introduce paid subscriptions in the coming months to comply with European Union data protection rules that threaten its lucrative business model of serving users with tailored ads.
The WSJ said Meta would allow users to choose whether to continue using platforms with ads or pay for an ad-free version.
“Meta believes in the value of free services supported by personalized ads,” the company said in a statement to The Associated Press. “However, we continue to explore options to ensure we comply with evolving regulatory requirements. We have nothing further to share at this time.”
The EU’s highest court ruled in July that Meta must first obtain consent before serving ads to users — a decision that jeopardizes the company’s ability to make money by tailoring ads to individual users based on their online interests and digital activity.
It is not clear whether EU regulators will approve the plan or require the company to offer cheaper versions. The newspaper said one issue for regulators is whether the proposed fees are too expensive for most people who don’t want to be targeted by ads.
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