UK: Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is considering introducing a paid subscription in the UK that would remove advertisements from its platforms. The move follows similar offerings in the European Union and ongoing concerns over data privacy and targeted advertising.
Meta’s proposed subscription model would allow users to pay for an ad-free experience, preventing their data from being tracked for targeted advertising. The company already offers this service in the EU, starting at €5.99 (£5) per month.
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) previously advised Meta to consider data protection implications before launching an ad-free subscription. Meta has stated that it is engaging constructively with the ICO following a 2024 consultation.
Meta argues that personalized ads keep its platforms free to access. However, regulatory guidance issued in January mandates that users must be given a genuine choice.
While publishers cite financial pressures as a reason for adopting this approach, campaigners argue that it is unfair to force users into a choice between privacy and payment. The ICO has warned that such models may violate UK data protection laws if user consent is not ‘freely given.’
Facebook and Instagram users in the EU have had access to ad-free subscriptions since October 2023, initially priced at €9.99 per month. Meta later reduced the cost and introduced an option for users to receive ‘less personalized’ ads instead of paying.
