Meta has announced a 40% cut in subscription fees for ad-free access to its social media platforms of Facebook and Instagram for users in the European Union, as part of its efforts to comply with regulatory demands in the region.
“These changes respond to the requirements set by EU regulators and go beyond the thresholds mandated by EU legislation,” Meta President Nick Clegg wrote on Tuesday in a post on Threads.
The social media giant also revealed that it will continue to offer free access to Facebook and Instagram for EU users, provided they agree to see ads based on a limited set of user data.
Meta initially launched its ad-free subscription service in the EU in October 2023, following an EU regulation aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices by tech companies; a service that came into effect after regional regulators imposed a fine of over 400 million euros on Meta for violations of EU data privacy laws.
The company has now announced a price reduction for this monthly subscription, lowering it from 9.99 euros to 5.99 euros for desktop users and from 12.99 euros to 7.99 euros for iOS and Android users.
Furthermore, for EU users who opt for the “less personalized” free access option, Meta stated they will see ads that “may be less relevant to an individual’s interests.” Ads under this model will be based on “a minimal set of data points,” including the user’s age, gender, location, and ad interactions.
Additionally, EU users choosing the free option will also encounter non-skippable ads designed to “deliver value to advertisers,” Meta added.
The stringent regulations in the EU have impacted Meta’s ability to roll out new services in the region as swiftly as in less regulated markets like the United States. For instance, in 2023, Meta’s launch of its Threads service, a Twitter-like platform, took nearly half a year longer to reach European users compared to other regions.
Source: Tovima.com
Latest News
Lloyd’s List: 14 Greeks Among the 100 Most Powerful Players in Global Shipping in 2024
Evangelos Marinakis in 16th place – The Greek with the highest climb over the last two years.
George Tsunis: Athens-Washington relations will continue to go from strength to strength under President Trump
"I can't say what President Trump's aims to achieve, but I think the past can serve as a pretty accurate guide," says U.S. Ambassador George Tsunis
A Guide to Athens’ Free Christmas Activities
A detailed guide to all the free festive events that will be taking place in Athens and Piraeus over the festive season. Could there be a better way for young and old alike to get into the holiday spirit?
Hotel Prices in Athens See a Slight Uptick in December
The average online price for a double room in the Greek capital is 130 euros this Dec., up 7.44% compared to last year but slightly lower than Nov. by 0.75%.
Greece Targets Undeclared Swimming Pools
Using data from the Cadaster, the Authority will cross-check information with tax returns and Form E9 to identify taxpayers who have not declared their swimming pools.
Nottingham FC Owner Marinakis on Sky Sports: PL Ambitions, Promises and Olympiacos FC
Nottingham Forest's Evangelos Marinakis opens up on VAR frustrations, his vision for success, and the strategic role of a multi-club structure in an interview at Sky Sports
FinMin to Banks: ‘Don’t Get on People’s Nerves’
Minister Costis Hatzidakis promised measures to deal with 3 main grievances vis-à-vis the country’s banks, namely, the spread between the paltry interest rates for deposits, as compared with rates tacked on to borrowing
Hochtief Sells Its Remaining 17% Stake in Olympia Odos Tollway
VINCI Concessions, AVAX Concessions, AKTOR Concessions and GEK TERNA jointly purchase stake for Olympia Odos tollway connecting greater Athens to Patras, and eventually Pyrgos
Greece’s Discounted Goods ‘Christmas Basket’ Program Launching Dec. 11
Starting on Dec. 11, items included in this year’s 'Christmas basket' will be sold at fixed prices across supermarkets in Greece.
Scope Ratings: Two Catalysts to Change Greek Economy Assessment
The baseline scenario assumes that primary budget surpluses will be maintained in the coming years, supporting Greece’s credit rating trajectory.