Exciting Development: Meta Considers Introducing Ad-Free Instagram and Facebook, With European Users Expected to Pay, Reports Suggest

Meta is considering charging its European users nearly $14 a month for an ad-free version of Instagram if they do not agree to let the company use their personal data for targeted ads, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.

The proposal aims to address the strict privacy rules within the European Union. In order to comply with these rules, Meta will require users’ consent to display personalized ads. This could potentially impact the company’s advertising revenue. Users would be charged approximately $14 per month on mobile devices and up to $17 on desktops for the ad-free experience.

According to the report, Meta has been in discussions with digital-competition regulators in Brussels, privacy regulators in Ireland, and other EU privacy regulators regarding this proposal. The plan, named “subscription no ads” (SNA), is expected to be rolled out in the upcoming months.

It is uncertain if regulators consider Meta’s proposal sufficient, as they may request a more cost-effective alternative. Meta spokesperson told CNBC, “Meta believes in the value of free services which are supported by personalized ads. However, we continue to explore options to ensure we comply with evolving regulatory requirements. We have nothing further to share at this time.”

Since the privacy rules do not apply to the U.S., it is unlikely that Meta will introduce SNA in that region. However, in February, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a paid verification subscription service called Meta Verified. The service allows users on Meta’s Instagram and Facebook platforms to submit their government ID and obtain a blue verification badge. This feature aims to enhance “authenticity and security” across the platforms and is priced at $11.99 per month on the web and $14.99 per month on iOS.