Meta to Offer Ad-Free Facebook and Instagram for Fees in Select EU Regions

Meta announces plans to offer an ad-free version of Facebook and Instagram in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland.
The move comes in an effort to adhere to ‘evolving’ data protection regulations in these regions.
Pricing for the ad-free subscription will cost €9.99/month on the web or €12.99/month on iOS and Android.
Official availability is slated to begin next week.

Ad-Free Social Media: Meta’s New Offering

Here’s some news that might make your Monday feel less Monday-ish: Meta, parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has just announced plans to offer an ad-free experience for users hailing from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. Why, you might ask? It’s all part of their efforts to comply with the ‘evolving’ data protection regulations in these areas. Think of it as a peace offering to the Powers That Be – except that peace becomes pricey at €9.99/month on the web or €12.99/month on iOS and Android.

Why the Sudden Change?

In more techy terms, the ‘evolving’ data protection regulations are like an operating system update with slightly more paperwork. Imagine updating your phone but instead of just tapping ‘Agree’, you need to boil a pot of coffee first to get through the legal implications. In a similar vein, Meta’s investment towards an ad-free platform aims to sincerely blend into the GDPR-centred universe.

What Will This Mean for Users?

If you’re a user in these regions, you could soon browse through cat memes and holiday pictures, uninterrupted by ads trying to sell you stuff you don’t actually need – isn’t that a joyous thought? But remember, fun and freedom come at a price – €9.99/month on the web or €12.99/month on iOS and Android to be precise. For some, it could be a small price to pay for an uninterrupted social media landscape.

The Official Offering and What’s Next

Launching next week, the official statement from Meta is just about as exciting as getting an unexpected package in the mail. Except this package is digital, and you have to pay for it monthly. As Meta navigates the legal landscape of data protection, one might wonder what other surprises they might have up their sleeve.

In Conclusion

In a bid to comply with stringent and evolving data protection regulations in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland, Meta has decided to offer an ad-free Facebook and Instagram version for a monthly fee. Starting at €9.99/month for web users and €12.99/month for mobile users, the service is expected to be rolled out next week. Although it means shelling out some cash, users will get to enjoy an ad-free experience. In the tech journey, just as in life, not everything that matters is free. Or as my old man used to say, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch…or an ad-free social media experience.”

Original Article: https://thehackernews.com/2023/10/meta-launches-paid-ad-free-subscription.html