29/3/2024
March 22, 2024
Meta plans to reduce its ad-free subscription fee for Facebook and Instagram from €9.99 to €5.99 amidst pressure and criticism over its "Pay or okay" consent model, which has been challenged for not aligning with EU data protection laws.
Meta is set to lower the cost of its ad-free subscription service for Facebook and Instagram, following scrutiny by European legislators and data privacy advocates. Initially priced at €9.99 per month in Europe, the proposed reduction to €5.99 aims to address concerns over the "Pay or okay" model, criticized for circumventing data protection laws requiring explicit consent for advertising tracking.
The change comes after backlash from privacy groups, notably NOYB (None Of Your Business), and an open letter from 39 European lawmakers urging Meta to cease its charged opt-out from tracking. However, critics argue the price cut doesn't solve the fundamental issue of coerced consent, with NOYB's Max Schrems highlighting discrepancies between actual and perceived consent to tracking.
Meta's other offering, Meta Verified, priced at €16.99 per month, provides a verification badge but is distinct from the ad-free service. Despite the price adjustment, debates on the legality and ethics of Meta's subscription models continue, emphasizing the ongoing tension between monetization strategies and privacy rights.
