Just a month ago, Meta said they’d charge about $17 a month for Europeans who wanted no ads on Instagram and Facebook. Now, the big social media company says they’ll offer a no-ad option starting next month for people in Europe using Facebook or Instagram.
They said the expenses for European users would be between 9.99 and 12.99 euros monthly, and this will start in November. Meta made this change to follow the rules in Europe and give people more say over their information and privacy. It’s also a way for Meta to make money because they’re facing tough competition from platforms like TikTok and Snapchat.
The company shared that they’re following the rules in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland too. Users can still use Facebook or Instagram for free with ads or pay for a subscription to get rid of ads, starting next month.
“To follow the rules in Europe, we’re bringing in a new subscription option. People in these countries can pay to use our apps without ads. Depending on where you purchase it, it’ll cost €9.99 monthly on the web or €12.99 monthly on iOS and Android. Whether you buy it on the web or through apps, the subscription will cover all your linked Facebook and Instagram accounts,” Meta wrote.
“Like many online subscriptions, the prices for iOS and Android consider the fees from Apple and Google’s buying rules. Until March 1, 2024, the first subscription will include all linked accounts in your Accounts Center. But from March 1st, 2024, an additional fee of €6/month on the web and €8/month on iOS and Android will be added for each spare account in your Account Center,” added the company.
The cost of the subscription will be between 9.99 euros per month ($10.58) on the web and 12.99 euros per month ($13.75) on iOS and Android devices, covering your connected Facebook and Instagram accounts. From March 1, 2024, an extra fee of 6 euros per month for the web version and 8 euros per month for mobile access will be added for more accounts.
Meta has mainly offered free social networks with ads. But now they’re adding a paid subscription to follow the privacy rules, particularly in Europe.
In a statement on Monday, Meta said they’re dedicated to keeping user information safe while supporting an “ad-supported internet” that tailors things for users and helps small businesses reach potential customers.
“We respect the meaning of these changing European rules and are committed to following them,” said Meta.
Even though this move lines up with EU rules and gives users more control over their information and privacy, some critics aren’t convinced. They think Meta’s ad-free subscription might be a way to keep collecting and using user data. To them, this offer might just give users a choice to pay for no ads but not a real choice to opt out of data collection entirely.