Meta plans subscription service for ad-free experience in the UK
- Meta is considering a subscription option for UK users in response to privacy concerns triggered by legal challenges.
- The Information Commissioner’s Office supports users' rights to object to personal data use for advertising.
- If implemented, the subscription model could change user access to Facebook and Instagram while addressing privacy issues.
In the United Kingdom, Meta is considering a subscription model for its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, amid ongoing concerns over user privacy and data tracking. This development follows a legal dispute where Meta agreed to cease targeted advertising against human rights campaigner Tanya O'Carroll, who challenged the company's data collection practices. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) supported Ms. O’Carroll’s position, affirming that individuals have the right to object to their personal data being used for direct marketing under UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Therefore, in light of heightened regulatory scrutiny, Meta is contemplating a paid subscription option that would allow users to avoid ads altogether.