WASHINGTON: Meta is contemplating to offer European social media users a subscription-based version of Facebook and Instagram if they would rather not be tracked for advertisements, sources said on Tuesday.
The suggestion, first reported by the US media, comes as the social media platform seeks to fulfill a growing list of European Union regulations and rules designed to curb the power of the big tech firm.
Meta Plans to Charge EU
The company makes its billions of dollars in profit by offering advertisers highly individualized data on social media users, but new European Union rules and regulations and EU judiciary decisions have made that tougher.
The suggestion has been put to European Union regulators and is another sample of big tech firms having to adapt long-held practices to meet EU regulations and rules.
The sources said subscribers in the European Union could pay 10 euros per month for a desktop version of Facebook and Instagram, or 13 euros per month for Instagram on their mobile phones.
Read Also: Meta Plans Ad-Free Subscription Service for Instagram and Facebook Users
Different Social media apps and platforms have increasingly floated the suggestion of charging users for access to their apps. The idea could help meet various rules and regulations including the Digital Markets Act on big tech firms in Europe.
Meta company refused to comment directly on the US media report, but added in a statement that it still “believes in the value of free services.” It added that they continue to discover choices to ensure they comply with rules and regulations.
