Meta Platforms Cuts Subscription Fee for Facebook and Instagram

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced a significant reduction in the monthly subscription fee for its ad-free service in Europe.

The move comes amidst increasing scrutiny from privacy and antitrust regulators and aims to address concerns raised by privacy activists and consumer groups.

Background:

Meta launched its ad-free subscription service in Europe in November to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

This legislation restricts Meta’s ability to personalize ads for users without explicit consent, impacting its primary revenue source. However, the subscription service faced criticism for requiring users to pay a fee to ensure privacy.

Reduced Subscription Fee:

Meta has proposed to lower the monthly subscription fee from 9.99 euros to 5.99 euros for a single account and 4 euros for additional accounts.

The company’s lawyer, Tim Lamb, emphasized that this reduction balances EU privacy laws and compliance with the DMA. Lamb described the reduced fee as “by far the lowest end of the range” for services of similar quality.

Regulatory Engagement:

Meta has engaged with data protection authorities, particularly the Irish watchdog, to address regulatory concerns.

The company aims to swiftly resolve regulatory uncertainty and ensure DMA compliance. The ongoing discussions seek to clarify Meta’s adherence to regulatory requirements for users and third parties.

User Consent and Funding Model:

Users who consent to being tracked will continue to access Meta’s services for free, funded by advertising revenues.

This model allows Meta to offer a free service while complying with privacy regulations. However, the reduced subscription fee provides an alternative for users seeking ad-free experiences without sacrificing privacy.