Meta considers paid subscription in EU for users
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Facebook and Instagram users in the European Union may soon be able to opt out of targeted ads if they subscribe.

According to a source familiar with the matter, Meta is evaluating options to comply with multiple European regulations restricting the use of personalized ads by US technology companies. In the past year, the EU tightened regulations and will require big tech companies to ask users for their consent.

A court ruled in July that tech companies could offer such consent through subscription models, including charging users for access to Facebook and Instagram without advertisements.

According to the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), companies may collect and use the personal data of EU citizens if they fall within certain categories. According to Meta, its data collection for advertising is necessary to fulfill the “contracts” between the platform and end users. However, privacy advocates and regulators say that justification does not justify the use of personal data for advertising.

Sources said Meta remains in close contact with its lead regulator in Europe, the Irish Data Protection Commission, about a compliance solution. Users outside of Europe wouldn’t be affected by the plans if they were implemented.

To comply with EU regulations, Meta aims to charge $14 a month to users who want to bypass targeted ads on Instagram on their phones and $17 to access both Facebook and Instagram without ads.

Despite declining to comment on the possibility of rolling out a subscription plan, Meta confirmed that it is considering all options.