Europeans Can Pay for Ad-free Social Media
2023-11-06
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1Facebook and Instagram users in Europe are getting the option to use the social media services without seeing advertisements.
2However, they will have to pay for that option.
3Meta, the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram, recently announced the new choice, which is meant to comply with Europe's data privacy rules.
4Starting this month, users on desktop browsers will pay about $11 a month while iOS and Android users will pay $14 a month.
5Meta said in a blog that the price difference between the versions is the result of higher costs linked to the Apple and Google app stores.
6The monthly payment will cover all linked Facebook and Instagram accounts until March 1, 2024.
7On that date, Meta will require $6 to $8 for each additional account depending on the system used.
8Meta released details of the plan late last month.
9Meta said it is introducing the new pay option after a ruling by the EU's top court.
10The court said Meta must first get consent before showing ads to users under EU data privacy rules.
11Meta advertises products and services to individual users based on their online activity.
12The EU ruling affects the company's ability to make money from its advertising methods.
13Meta said in a statement, that the paid option "balances the requirements of European regulators while giving users choice and allowing Meta to continue serving all people."
14Users aged 18 and older in the EU's 27 member countries, and also Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein will still have the choice to continue using Facebook or Instagram with ads.
15Meta said it is considering how to "provide teens with a useful and responsible ad experience" under the European privacy ruling.
16On November 1, the European data regulator, the European Data Protection Board, announced that it would extend a ban on "behavioral advertising" on Facebook and Instagram.
17The ban covers all 30 countries in the EU and the European Economic Area.
18The ban was first put in place by non-EU member Norway.
19The northern European country has ordered Meta to pay thousands of dollars each day since the middle of August for breaking the country's privacy rules.
20Behavioral advertising targets users by collecting their personal data.
21The EU's ban on such advertising is considered a setback for Meta.
22In a statement, Meta said it believes in an "ad-supported internet."
23But the company said it respects "the spirit and purpose of these evolving European regulations," and aims to comply with them.
24I'm Anna Matteo.
1Facebook and Instagram users in Europe are getting the option to use the social media services without seeing advertisements. 2However, they will have to pay for that option. Meta, the parent company of both Facebook and Instagram, recently announced the new choice, which is meant to comply with Europe's data privacy rules. 3Starting this month, users on desktop browsers will pay about $11 a month while iOS and Android users will pay $14 a month. Meta said in a blog that the price difference between the versions is the result of higher costs linked to the Apple and Google app stores. 4The monthly payment will cover all linked Facebook and Instagram accounts until March 1, 2024. On that date, Meta will require $6 to $8 for each additional account depending on the system used. Meta released details of the plan late last month. 5Meta said it is introducing the new pay option after a ruling by the EU's top court. The court said Meta must first get consent before showing ads to users under EU data privacy rules. 6Meta advertises products and services to individual users based on their online activity. The EU ruling affects the company's ability to make money from its advertising methods. 7Meta said in a statement, that the paid option "balances the requirements of European regulators while giving users choice and allowing Meta to continue serving all people." 8Users aged 18 and older in the EU's 27 member countries, and also Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein will still have the choice to continue using Facebook or Instagram with ads. 9Meta said it is considering how to "provide teens with a useful and responsible ad experience" under the European privacy ruling. 10On November 1, the European data regulator, the European Data Protection Board, announced that it would extend a ban on "behavioral advertising" on Facebook and Instagram. The ban covers all 30 countries in the EU and the European Economic Area. The ban was first put in place by non-EU member Norway. The northern European country has ordered Meta to pay thousands of dollars each day since the middle of August for breaking the country's privacy rules. 11Behavioral advertising targets users by collecting their personal data. The EU's ban on such advertising is considered a setback for Meta. 12In a statement, Meta said it believes in an "ad-supported internet." But the company said it respects "the spirit and purpose of these evolving European regulations," and aims to comply with them. 13I'm Anna Matteo. 14Anna Matteo wrote this report for VOA Learning English based on Associated Press and Reuters reports and other materials. 15_____________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17option -n. one of two or more possible choices 18comply -v. to do what you are asked or required to do; to obey 19data -n. information 20browser -n. software that permits the use of the internet on a computer 21consent -n. permission to do something 22regulator -n. a person or group that enforces rules in an industry or field 23allow -v. to permit 24setback -n. a problem that makes reaching one's goals more difficult 25evolve -v. to change over time 26We want to hear from you. Our comment policy is here. Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them.