Meta to Offer Ad-Free Subscription to Facebook and Instagram in UK

Core Viewpoint - Meta is introducing a subscription model in the UK for ad-free access to Facebook and Instagram, responding to regulatory guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) [3][4][5] Subscription Details - The subscription will be priced at £2.99 (approximately $4) per month on the web and £3.99 on iOS and Android, with the higher mobile price reflecting fees from Apple and Google [2] - This offering will be rolled out in the coming weeks [2] Regulatory Context - The ICO has engaged with Meta regarding this new model, which aligns with their regulatory guidance on consent or pay business models [3][4] - The ICO supports the shift to a consent or pay model, moving away from the previous ad-targeting practices that were deemed non-compliant with UK law [4][5] Comparison with EU Regulations - Meta's consent or pay model is also present in the EU, but it faces challenges from the European Commission regarding compliance with antitrust provisions of the Digital Markets Act [5][6] - The company contrasts the UK’s regulatory approach as more constructive and pro-growth compared to the EU's, which it claims imposes excessive requirements [6][7]