Tech
In Europe, Meta Introduces Ad-Free Plans For Instagram And Facebook
(CTN News) – It was reported on Monday that Meta Platforms (META.O) will offer users in Europe a subscription plan under which they can use Facebook and Instagram without advertisements in order to comply with the rules of the European Union.
It will cost 9.99 euros ($10.58) a month for users in the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland. The subscription fees for iOS and Android users will cost 12.99 euros a month, while users in the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland will be charged 9.99 euros ($10.58).
Unless the EU regulations are changed, Meta’s ability to personalize ads for users without their consent might be curtailed, and this would have negative consequences for its major source of revenue.
A number of antitrust authorities across the European Union have placed pressure on Facebook, the world’s most popular social media network, due to its alleged antitrust practices.
While the company lost its fight against a German data curb order in July, the European Court of Justice ruled that, despite its objections to the investigation, the German antitrust watchdog does have the right to investigate privacy breaches as well.
Meta’s strategy of giving users a choice between an ad-supported free plan and an ad-free paid subscription is likely to result in more users opting for the ad-supported plan, helping Meta to comply with the regulations without affecting its ad business at the same time.
A fine of 390 million euros was imposed on Meta by Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner in the early months of 2013, in a ruling that the company could not rely on the so-called ‘contract’ as a legal basis to send ads based on the online activities of its users.
It was later revealed by the company that it intended to ask users in the EU for their consent before allowing businesses to target ads to them in order to address evolving regulatory requirements within the region.
Why is it called Meta on Facebook?
SEE ALSO:
In Europe, Meta Introduces Ad-Free Plans For Instagram And Facebook
Alibaba Launches Upgraded AI Model To Challenge Microsoft And Amazon
