Meta is introducing enhanced data control options for European users, allowing them to opt for ad-free Facebook and Instagram experiences in exchange for a monthly subscription fee, similar to the recently announced premium tiers of X (formerly Twitter).
Users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can now subscribe to Facebook and Instagram for €9.99 per month on the web or €12.99 per month on iOS and Android.
Providing them with an ad-free environment on both social media platforms.
Until March 1, 2024, these monthly fees will apply to all Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to a single user.
Users who want an ad-free experience on additional linked accounts after this date will be charged an extra €6 per month on the web and €8 per month on iOS and Android.
Users who prefer an ad-supported experience will be able to do so on both platforms.
This is what Meta has to say about its new ad-free plans:
The option for people to purchase a subscription for no ads balances the requirements of European regulators while giving users a choice and allowing Meta to continue serving all people in the EU, EEA and Switzerland.
Meta emphasises in its press release its commitment to protecting user information and ensuring compliance with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The DMA went into effect in May and designated Facebook as a gatekeeper, classifying it as a significant digital platform offering essential social network services.
As a result, Meta is required to comply with the regulations, including all of their requirements and prohibitions, by March 6, 2024.
The DMA prohibits merging data gathered from two distinct services within the same company and tracking users beyond the core service of their platform.
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