Monthly fees of €12.99 for smartphone users and €9.99 for desktop have been implemented to align with EU data privacy regulations
In accordance with the European Union’s data privacy regulations, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, will impose monthly charges on users in the region. Commencing in November, desktop browser users can subscribe for €9.99 ($10.50) per month, while Apple iOS and Android users will incur charges of approximately €12.99. The slightly higher fees for mobile users account for commissions levied by the Apple and Google app stores for in-app transactions, as stated in a company blog post.
The fee will encompass all connected Facebook and Instagram accounts until March, at which point Meta will institute charges of €6 for each additional account on web platforms and €8 for smartphones.
Meta is introducing this subscription alternative in response to a ruling from the European Union’s highest court. The court decreed that, in accordance with EU data privacy regulations, the company cannot employ personal data to customize ads for users without obtaining their prior consent. Meta’s primary revenue model relies on tailoring advertisements to individual users based on their online preferences and digital behavior.
A blog post from Meta stated, “We believe in an internet supported by ads, providing people access to personalized products and services, irrespective of their financial situation.” The company also expressed its respect for “the essence and intent of these evolving European regulations” and its commitment to compliance. According to the EU’s Digital Markets Act legislation, Meta platforms will be required to secure explicit consent before tracking users for advertising purposes.
The introduction of the paid option, as per the company’s statement, “strikes a balance between the demands of European regulators, user choice, and Meta’s ongoing commitment to serving all individuals.” Recent reports indicated that European regulators were examining the cost of these services and whether they might be prohibitively expensive for individuals who prefer not to receive targeted advertisements.
Users aged 18 and older residing in the European Union’s 27 member states, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, will still retain the option of using Facebook or Instagram with ads.
In response to the European privacy ruling, Meta stated that it is exploring ways to offer teenagers a constructive and responsible advertising experience.
