Facebook and Instagram: Social media platforms Facebook and Instagram are used a lot all over the world. People use these platforms from entertainment to joining friends. Till now these platforms were absolutely free. But now it is not so, now you have to pay every month to run Facebook and Instagram.
Yes, in fact, in the UK, Facebook and Instagram users are being given the option of add-free version. Meta has announced that people who want to get rid of advertisements during social media scrolling will be able to take advantage of this by paying £ 3.99 (about ₹ 400) every month.
Why was the add-free version launched?
Meta has been facing regulatory pressure for a long time. The company was alleged to have shown personalized ads using the private data of users. Amidst this criticism, Meta has introduced a subscription model. Under this plan, web users will have to pay £ 2.99 every month, mobile users will have to pay £ 3.99 every month. If the user has Facebook and Instagram Linked Account, then they will have to take only one subscription.
Meta says, “UK people will now be able to choose from two options, either use Facebook-Estagram for free and see advertisements or get News-Patiala experience without taking subscriptions.”
UK trend separate from Europe
The European Union had already imposed a fine of 200 million euros, convicting Meta in violation of the Digital Markets Act. The EU said that the company should give a free version that uses low data (eg age, gender and location).
In contrast, the UK Information Commissioner Office (ICO) is welcoming the move. ICO says that this change shows that now the use of Facebook and Instagram will be separated from the imperative of viewing advertisements.
Controversy over data privacy in UK
This year, ICO had made it clear that internet users should have the right to prevent their data from being used for advertisements. Meanwhile, Meta tied up in a case related to Human Rights Activist named Tanya O’Kairal, who accused the company that it used data without their consent. After the agreement, Mata had indicated that it would take steps towards ad-free subscription and now the company has officially started it.
Increased difference between uk-eu
According to Gareth Oldel, partner of the UK law firm TLT, ICO’s stand clearly shows that the UK government wants to promote digital economy and business growth. He says that this decision has deepened the difference between data protection and digital regulation between the UK and the EU.
Now the UK’s Facebook and Instagram users have the option to scroll with the adds for free or have fun the ad-free experience by spending a few pounds every month. While this change gives new facilities to users, it shows that different rules are being made for companies in different parts of the world regarding data privacy and regulation.
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