New Delhi: Meta, the company that owns Instagram and Facebook, is now testing a paid subscription version of both platforms in more countries. This paid version will allow users to browse without seeing ads and without being tracked for personalised promotions. The move comes as governments in Europe and elsewhere put pressure on big tech companies to improve privacy.
The paid version will be available for a monthly fee that could also vary from country to country. The option for users who do not want to pay is to continue with the free version; they will see ads anyway. According to Meta, the company wants to provide people with a choice. Some users want an ad-free and clean experience, while others are okay with ads provided the app is free of charge.
This decision has provoked a lot of discussion online. Some people don’t mind paying as they find ads annoying, and they also feel a privacy-friendly version can protect their data. On the other hand, some people think social media should always be free and not become any paid service.
Meta says the subscription model also helps it follow stricter privacy rules set by European regulators. The rules require companies to ask users for permission before collecting personal data. With a paid version, Meta can offer users a simpler option, if they don’t want tracking.
Influencers and content creators are concerned because ads help them get in front of larger groups. If more people start paying, the number of viewers who actually see their posts might be reduced. Some creators feel this may have an impact on their increase in followers and profits.
