While Facebook head Mark Zuckerberg has consistently stated that the popular social media platform will always remain free, the evolution of E.U regulations may further restrict their capacity to gather user data for ad targeting which is forcing Meta to re-evaluate things.
According to the New York Times, Meta is reportedly exploring the potential of offering paid versions of both Facebook and Instagram, which would enable E.U. users to completely avoid ads, and personal data usage, within both platform aps.
Per the report: “Those who pay for Facebook and Instagram subscriptions would not see ads in the apps, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the plans are confidential. That may help Meta fend off privacy concerns and other scrutiny from E.U. regulators by giving users an alternative to the company’s ad-based services, which rely on analyzing people’s data, the people said.”
This wouldn’t be the first time that Meta has made headlines with social media journalists regarding a subscription offering, as they offer verification on both Facebook and Instagram for a current price tag of $11.99 per month.
While that hasn’t been the resounding success that Meta has hoped for, perhaps this new avenue will bare more fruit.
