March 11, 2024 at 07:25AM
UK’s ICO is seeking input on “consent or pay” business models, where users can pay to access services without data being used for advertising. The ICO emphasizes the need for users to understand the consent aspect and have the freedom to withdraw it easily. The consultation addresses factors like fee calculation, service equality, power balance, and privacy comprehension. Interested parties can provide feedback until April 17, 2024.
Based on the meeting notes, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has initiated a consultation on “consent or pay” business models, specifically addressing the practice where customers are given the choice to pay for services in exchange for avoiding the use of their data for advertising purposes. One prominent example of this model is Meta’s offering to EU subscribers, which requires them to choose between paying to remove ads and allowing data processing for advertising.
The ICO is seeking input on several considerations related to these models, including how fees for avoiding personalized ads should be calculated, the distinction between ad-funded and paid-for services, the balance of power between users and service providers in giving consent, and the necessity of clear user understanding of data collection and purpose.
The ICO has emphasized the complexity of the situation and highlighted the need to align with data protection laws, expressing a provisional stance on the “consent or pay” business models. Interested parties have until April 17, 2024, to contribute their perspectives to the ICO’s consultation. This call for views does not imply confirmation of the legal compliance of such business models.
Based on the content, it’s evident that the ICO is actively engaging with stakeholders and considering the nuanced implications of “consent or pay” business models within the framework of data protection law.