Meta introduces ad-free plans for Instagram, Facebook in Europe

Meta Platforms said on Monday it will offer users in Europe a subscription plan to use Facebook and Instagram without advertisements to comply with the European Union regulations.

The monthly subscription plans will cost €9.99 ($10.58) for web users, while iOS and Android users will have to shell out €12.99 a month.

The EU regulations threaten to curb Meta's ability to personalise ads for users without their consent and hurt its major revenue source.


Offering a choice between a free, ad-supported plan and an ad-free paid subscription might lead to users opting for the former, helping Meta comply with the regulations without affecting its ad business.

Meta was fined €390 million earlier this year by Ireland's Data Privacy Commissioner, and was told it cannot use the so-called "contract" as a legal basis to send users ads based on their online activity.