Raphael Kanu
A new Meta Subscription plan will soon change the way Facebook and Instagram users in the United Kingdom access the platforms, as Meta has announced a £2.99 monthly fee for an advert-free experience. The rollout mirrors what is already in place across the European Union, where users pay €5.99 (£5).
Meta insists the Meta Subscription will give users a clearer choice about whether their data is used for personalised advertising, while still allowing those who prefer ads to continue with free access.
But in the UK, the announcement has raised eyebrows. Critics fear that Facebook and Instagram users may not be offered the option of simply seeing “less personalised” adverts, leaving them caught between paying for freedom from ads or surrendering more of their data.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data watchdog, had earlier issued guidelines on ad-free services, a move many believe pressured Meta into launching the Meta Subscription in Britain.
For millions of Facebook and Instagram users, the arrival of the Meta Subscription marks the end of an era of completely free access.
Whether welcomed as a relief from endless adverts or criticised as an extra financial burden, the change will test just how much people are willing to pay for a quieter, cleaner online space.