Facebook and Instagram are two of the most popular social media platforms in the world, and they are used by millions of people daily. Until now, these platforms have been free to use. But that might change soon.
According to reports, Meta—the company that owns Facebook and Instagram—is planning to introduce a paid subscription option. If users choose to pay, they won’t see any ads on their feed and can enjoy an ad-free experience. For now, Meta is getting ready to launch this service in the UK.
Why is Meta doing this?
This new plan wasn’t made suddenly. It comes after a legal issue in the UK. A user there filed a case asking Meta not to show targeted ads. The case reached the High Court in London. To avoid punishment, Meta agreed to find a solution.
This legal fight started in 2022 when human rights activist Tanya O’Carroll sued Meta for 1.5 trillion dollars. She said Meta collected her data without her permission and used it to show her targeted ads, which she claimed violated the UK’s data protection laws.
Tanya said this wasn’t just her fight but a step toward bigger change. She believes the decision is important for all users who are tired of online ads. The UK’s data protection authority also supported her, making the case even stronger.
Paid service already in Europe
Meta already launched an ad-free paid version of Facebook and Instagram in European Union countries in 2023. Last year, it even reduced the subscription price by 40%. The current monthly fee is €5.99 for web users and €7.99 for iOS and Android users.
Now, people are curious to know what the subscription price will be in the UK.
If the UK plan is successful, Meta may introduce this paid option in other countries too. That means users who want an ad-free experience might have to pay in the future. However, the platforms will still be free for those who don’t mind seeing ads.
