In order to comply with the European Union regulations, Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook, on Monday said that it will offer users in Europe a subscription plan to use Facebook and Instagram without advertisements.
Meta Launching Subscription Plan For European Users
The social media platform firm said that “to comply with evolving European regulations, we are introducing a new subscription option in the EU, EEA and Switzerland,” on its website.
As per this new development, its monthly subscription plans for users in the EU, European Economic Area and Switzerland, will cost 9.99 euros ($10.58) for web users, while iOS and Android users will have to shell out 12.99 euros a month.
Prior to this, Meta was in news as EU regulations threaten to curb Meta’s ability to personalize ads for users without their consent and hurt its major revenue source.
Under Antitrust Pressure
It seems that the world’s most popular social media network has been under antitrust pressure in the EU.
Meta website further disclosed that “In November, we will be offering people who use Facebook or Instagram and reside in these regions the choice to continue using these personalized services for free with ads, or subscribe to stop seeing ads. While people are subscribed, their information will not be used for ads.”
Earlier, during July, the social media giant lost its fight against a German data curb order as Europe’s top court backed the German antitrust watchdog’s power to also investigate privacy breaches.
The company’s offering a choice between a free, ad-supported plan and an ad-free paid subscription might lead to users opting for the former.
This will further help Meta to comply with the regulations without affecting its ad business.
In the beginning of this year, Meta was fined 390 million euros by Ireland’s Data Privacy Commissioner.
The company was told that it cannot use the so-called “contract” as a legal basis to send users ads based on their online activity.
In its defense, the social media firm later said it intended to ask users in the EU for their consent before allowing businesses to target ads in order to address evolving regulatory requirements in the region.
