Meta Launches Facebook and Instagram Services Without Ads in Europe

Up to 18,900 KRW per month
Privacy Concerns Over 'Targeted Advertising' in Europe
In Response to Regulatory Measures

Meta Platforms (hereinafter Meta) is introducing a subscription service in Europe that allows Facebook and Instagram users to pay up to 12.99 euros per month (18,900 KRW) to avoid seeing ads on the platforms.

On the 30th (local time), Meta announced, "We are introducing a new option in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland." It added, "Starting in November, Facebook and Instagram users in these regions will be offered an ad-free subscription option, or they can continue to use the service for free with ads."

The subscription service is available to users aged 18 and over, allowing them to use the platforms without ads. Their data will also not be used for advertising purposes. The fee is 9.99 euros per month (14,850 KRW) on the website, and 12.99 euros per month (18,900 KRW) on Android and iOS smartphones.

Recently, as regulations have tightened in Europe over the collection of user data for targeted advertising, citing privacy violations, Meta is seen to have taken this measure. Until now, Meta has provided Facebook and Instagram services for free while generating revenue by using user information to deliver personalized ads. However, if targeted ads without user consent are banned, the revenue source will be blocked, so Meta plans to offer users a choice through paid services and avoid regulations.

Meta stated, "The ad-free subscription option for users in Europe will balance the requirements of European regulators, provide users with choice, and allow Meta to continue offering services to everyone."

In July, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) pointed out in a lawsuit filed by the German Federal Cartel Office against Meta that Meta should consider alternative services for users who do not want their data collected and used. Earlier, in January, Meta was fined over 550 billion KRW by the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) for violating the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by using Facebook and Instagram user information for personalized advertising.