Instagram’s Controversial Ad Model Expands to UK After EU Ban
▼ Summary
– Meta is implementing its “pay or consent” ad model for Instagram and Facebook users in the UK, forcing them to choose between personalized ads or a paid subscription.
– Users who do not pay will continue to be served personalized advertisements on the platforms.
– The subscription for an ad-free experience starts at £2.99 per month for web users and £3.99 per month for users on Android and iOS apps.
– Meta attributes the higher price on mobile apps to the fees charged by Apple and Google through their respective app stores.
– The subscription model requires users to pay for all of their linked accounts or none, with each additional account incurring an extra monthly fee.
Meta is now introducing its contentious “pay or consent” advertising framework to users in the United Kingdom, following a period of intense regulatory scrutiny. This move means that individuals using Instagram and Facebook must decide between accepting personalized advertisements or paying a monthly fee to use the platforms without ads.
The subscription option begins at £2.99 per month for those accessing the services through a web browser. However, people using the apps on Android or iOS devices will encounter a higher charge of £3.99 each month. According to Meta, this price difference stems directly from the commissions imposed by Apple and Google through their respective app stores.
This system does not allow for partial adoption; subscribers must either pay to remove ads from every linked account or continue with the ad-supported model across the board. Managing multiple accounts increases the cost, with each extra profile requiring an additional £2 or £3 monthly fee.
(Source: The Verge)
