Core Viewpoint - Meta is introducing a subscription model for Facebook and Instagram, allowing users to pay £3.99 per month to remove personalized ads, or continue using the platforms for free with ads [1][6][13] Pricing Structure - The subscription fee for the app version is £3.99 per month, while the web version costs £2.99 per month. Additional accounts incur a charge of £2 per month for web and £3 for app [6] - The higher app fee is attributed to fees imposed by Apple and Google [6] Target Audience - Notifications regarding the subscription are being sent to UK users over the age of 18, prompting them to consider the ad-free option upon logging into their accounts [9] User Options - Users who opt not to subscribe will continue to see personalized ads but can adjust their ad preferences in the settings [12] - Meta emphasizes that it does not sell personal data to advertisers [12] Reason for Subscription Introduction - The subscription model follows guidance from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office regarding ad-free options, aiming to provide users with a choice about data usage for personalized advertising [13] - This model, referred to as "consent or pay," allows digital platforms to generate revenue from users who choose not to be tracked [14]

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]

Core Viewpoint - Meta is launching an ad-free subscription service for Facebook and Instagram users in the UK, responding to regulatory pressures regarding personalized advertising [1][3]. Pricing Structure - Web users will be charged £2.99 a month, while mobile users will pay £3.99 a month for an ad-free experience. If accounts are linked, only one monthly fee is required [2]. Service Rollout and User Options - The ad-free subscription service will be rolled out in the coming weeks. Users opting not to subscribe will continue to see ads based on their personal data [3]. Regulatory Context - The subscription model is similar to a service offered in the EU, which faced regulatory scrutiny under the digital markets act. The European Commission fined Meta €200 million for not providing a less data-intensive free version of its services [3][4]. Compliance with UK Law - The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has welcomed Meta's move, indicating that it aligns better with UK law regarding user data and advertising practices [5].

Core Viewpoint - Meta Platforms is introducing an ad-free subscription option for Facebook and Instagram users in the United Kingdom in the near future [1] Group 1 - The subscription service will provide users with an alternative to the ad-supported model currently in place [1] - This move is part of Meta's strategy to diversify revenue streams amid increasing scrutiny and competition in the social media landscape [1]