Parent company Meta plans to offer paid subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram

After decades of free offerings, parent company Meta appears to be planning to offer paid subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram. In this way, users of the platforms should be able to avoid such ads The New York Times mentioned.

This should be driven by the adaptation of data protection laws in different countries. For example, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as of 2018, which has already led to disputes with the responsible authorities.

Meta was also sentenced to heavy fines for data protection violations: the company has appealed against some of these rulings.

New business model?

In the past, Meta focused on selling ads to businesses – targeting them to desired target groups, which also contributed to data protection conflicts.

Offering paid subscriptions would represent a departure from this practice – a different, more direct way to make money. This is even more relevant as Facebook advertising revenues are declining.

Firstly, Australia and New Zealand

Additionally, one must assume that more laws will make things tougher. Added to this is the generally unstable economic situation. New revenue streams for huge companies like Meta are also welcome.

Introductory father Mark Zuckerberg had already commented on the new fee-based subscriptions at the beginning of the year. Paying customers should be able to take advantage of phone customer support and better protections against identity theft.

It is unclear when paid subscriptions will be introduced in Switzerland, and how much the whole thing will cost. There’s a rough figure for Australia and New Zealand: The subscription service will be offered there first – and will cost between $20 and $25 per month. In return, users receive verification via a blue check mark, similar to an “X” (formerly Twitter).

However, Meta should continue to offer its services with the “Free – but with ads” option.

(THC)