October 31, 2023 at 02:54AM
Meta plans to introduce an ad-free subscription option for users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland to comply with data protection regulations. The subscription will cost €9.99/month on the web and €12.99/month on iOS and Android. Users can choose to continue using the personalized services with ads for free or subscribe to remove ads. The company also intends to charge an additional fee for each additional account listed in a user’s Account Center. This move follows a €390 million fine imposed on Meta earlier this year for violations of privacy laws. Meta’s subscription model is considered a valid form of consent for an ad-supported service, according to a ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU. Beginning November 6, 2023, Meta will also pause showing ads to users under 18 in areas where the ad-free subscription is available.
Key Takeaways from Meeting Notes:
– Meta (formerly known as Facebook) announced plans to offer an ad-free subscription option for users in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland to comply with data protection regulations in the region.
– The ad-free subscription will cost €9.99/month on the web or €12.99/month on iOS and Android and is expected to be available starting next month.
– Users in these regions will have the choice to continue using Facebook and Instagram for free with ads or subscribe to the ad-free version.
– While subscribed, users’ information will not be used for ads.
– Beginning March 1, 2024, Meta plans to charge an additional fee of €6/month on web and €8/month on iOS or Android for each additional account listed in a user’s Account Center.
– Meta’s decision to offer an ad-free subscription comes after it received a €390 million fine in January for breaches of Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation.
– The Irish Data Protection Commission found that users had no choice but to accept Meta’s terms of service and consent to targeted advertising based on their online activity to access its platforms.
– Meta intends to switch to a consent-based approach, giving users a choice to deny behavioral advertising practices.
– The subscription model is considered a valid form of consent for an ad-funded service, according to a ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union.
– Meta will temporarily pause showing ads to users under 18 in areas where the ad-free subscription is available, starting November 6, 2023.