Instagram and Facebook are now ad-free – and it’s expensive
Beginning next spring, users in the EU who want to go ad-free on Facebook and Instagram will have to pay extra.
Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram, is now encouraging users in Europe to sign up for a paid version that eliminates ads. This move comes in response to new privacy regulations in the European Union. Users are presented with a choice between continuing to use the platforms with targeted ads or paying around $20 per month for an ad-free experience.
The prompt specifies that users utilizing both Facebook and Instagram will eventually be required to pay an additional fee to cover both profiles. This notification has been observed on Instagram accounts, and reports indicate that similar prompts are appearing on Facebook as well.
To enjoy an ad-free experience on Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram, users can opt for a subscription priced at €9.99 per month on the web or €12.99 per month through Google’s or Apple’s app stores. Currently, this fee covers all linked accounts.
Also Read | TikTok testing out an advert-free monthly subscription
Starting from March 1st, subscribers will need to pay an additional fee for any extra linked profiles in their Meta Account Center. This added cost is €6 per month if purchased directly or €8 if obtained through an app store. It’s important to note that the ad-free service is restricted to users aged 18 and above.
The introduction of this new choice by Meta is explained in the prompt as a response to changing laws in the user’s region. Adult users in eligible countries will be asked to decide between subscribing to the ad-free service or using the platforms for free. Opting for the free option means users will continue to encounter personalized ads and allow their information to be used for advertising purposes.
Also Read | Facebook and Instagram (Meta) could charge for ad-free services in EU
