Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is reportedly contemplating offering paid versions of these social media platforms without advertisements for users within the European Union.
The move comes as a response to heightened scrutiny from EU regulators, according to a report by The New York Times.
Users who opt for the paid subscriptions would enjoy an ad-free experience on Facebook and Instagram. Simultaneously, Meta would continue to provide free versions of these apps, supported by advertisements, within the European Union. Three sources familiar with the company’s plans confirmed this information to the NYT.
Ad-free plans
The potential introduction of paid ad-free versions aims to address privacy concerns and other regulatory scrutiny Meta has faced in the EU. These concerns center around the company’s reliance on data analysis for its ad-based services.
Meta Platforms has not yet responded to a request for comment.
The social media giant has recently faced challenges from EU antitrust regulators. In July, it lost a legal battle against a 2019 German order that prohibited the collection of user data without consent.
The exact pricing details for the ad-free subscriptions remain unclear, as reported by the NYT.
