Reports from the Financial Times cite sources familiar with the matter that the European Union, or EU, is preparing to notify Meta regarding the operation of its paid membership service in exchange for an ad-free experience for users in Europe, which may conflict with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) as declared by the EU back in March.
Meta introduced a subscription-based ad-free option for Facebook and Instagram users in Europe towards the end of last year, giving users the choice between using the platforms for free with ads or paying for a membership to avoid targeted advertisements.
The report suggests that the EU views Meta’s approach as potentially coercive towards users, as those who opt for the ad-free experience would have to consent to personalized ads if they choose not to pay for the membership, which is not aligned with the EU’s desired direction.
Both the EU and Meta have refrained from commenting on the aforementioned news report.
Source: Reuters
TLDR: The EU is reportedly considering notifying Meta about their subscription service in Europe, which may violate the Digital Markets Act, as users are given the choice between ad-supported free use or paid membership for an ad-free experience.
Leave a Comment