Reportedly, Meta intends to maintain free versions of the apps supported by advertisements within the European Union.
In response to heightened regulatory scrutiny, Meta Platforms is contemplating the introduction of ad-free paid versions of both Facebook and Instagram for users residing in the European Union (EU), as reported by the New York Times on Friday.
According to three individuals familiar with the matter, subscribers to these paid services would enjoy an ad-free experience, while Meta would also continue to offer free versions of the apps supported by advertisements within the EU.
This potential strategic shift is viewed as a measure to address privacy concerns and other regulatory scrutiny within the EU, providing users with an alternative to Meta's ad-dependent services, which hinge on data analysis.
Meta has not provided an immediate response to a request for comment from Reuters.
The social media giant has been under the scrutiny of EU antitrust regulators and faced a setback in July when it contested a 2019 German ruling that prohibited the collection of user data without consent.
As for the pricing of the paid versions of the apps, the NYT report does not specify the exact cost.
The prominent social media corporation has garnered significant attention from EU antitrust regulators. Since August 14, it has been subjected to daily fines of NOK 1 million (approximately Rs. 77,51,000) due to violations related to user privacy. These violations entail the collection of user data and its utilization for targeted advertising. In response, the company is currently pursuing a temporary injunction against the order issued by Norway's data protection authority. This injunction aims to halt the imposition of daily fines for the next three months. Datatilsynet, the regulatory body, had initially warned of the impending fines on July 17, citing the company's failure to rectify privacy breaches identified by the regulator.
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