London:
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced plans to roll out ad-free versions of its social media platforms but users will have to pay for the privilege.
According to reports, web users in the UK will be charged £2.99 per month, while those accessing the platforms on mobile devices will face a slightly higher fee of £3.99 per month. The option will allow subscribers to browse without advertisements, while those who choose not to pay will continue using the apps for free, supported by ads.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the new subscription model will launch in phases over the coming weeks. The company stressed that users who opt in will not see video ads during content playback, nor will their personal data be used for targeted advertising.
The move comes as Meta faces growing scrutiny from European regulators. Earlier this year, the European Commission fined the company €200 million, ruling that its previous subscription offering in the EU violated the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Regulators argued that Meta should have provided an ad-supported version based on limited personal data such as age, gender, and location rather than relying heavily on detailed tracking.
Industry analysts suggest that the UK launch could be a testing ground, with the model likely to expand to other regions in the near future. The shift highlights how regulatory pressure in Europe is reshaping the way tech giants balance privacy, advertising, and user choice.
