Meta reduces Facebook, Instagram fees to settle data protection lawsuit

Published March 19th, 2024 - 08:14 GMT
Meta reduces Facebook, Instagram fees to settle data protection lawsuit
Facebook Meta company logo seen on smartphone and court gavel above it, FTC Federal Trade Commission emblem on the background. (Shutterstock)

ALBAWABA - Reducing the cost of Facebook and Instagram subscriptions in Europe is something Meta stated in response to data protection regulators in the European Union (EU).

Timothy Lamb, Meta's legal counsel, disclosed during a session at the European Commission that the monthly subscription charge for ad-free access will be reduced from €9.99 to €5.99 for individual accounts. There will also be an extra €4 charge for every extra account.

Lamb underlined the importance of this price change, saying that it is the lowest that can be anticipated for services of this kind. He emphasized how critical it is to clear up any regulatory ambiguities pertaining to Meta's business practices.

This choice was made in the middle of continued investigation into Meta's data management procedures and ad-free membership model by European regulators. Lamb explained that the lower fees are intended to speed up regulatory procedures and solve issues brought up by investigators.

It's important to note that any extra costs consumers may spend while downloading from app stores like Apple or Google are not covered by the subscription fees.

The European Consumer Organization (BEUC) formally complained against Meta in November 2023, citing unjust payment methods or a lack of consent.

Meta has demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing regulatory environments, ensure compliance, and satisfy users by introducing subscription services in response to harsher EU rules.

Subscribe

Sign up to our newsletter for exclusive updates and enhanced content