Could Facebook and Instagram become paid? Social media could soon become paid, at least in Europe, where privacy regulations seem to mess up Meta’s advertising business. Which according to the American press is evaluating this hypothesis, to give an option for those who do not want to allow advertising tracking on social networks.
Paid Instagram and Facebook, the hypothesis of a subscription in Europe
Recent revelations from the New York Times (via Open) have suggested that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, may be seriously considering introducing a paid model for European users of social networks. American newspaper quotes three well-informed sources within the company. Who think this is one direct response to the growing pressure from the European Commission regarding data protection and privacy of users on social networks.
The subscription would be an alternative to the traditional free profile, by paying a monthly or annual sum to avoid advertisements. At the moment, however, there is no information on timing and cost for users.
A subscription would represent the biggest change of direction in the business model since Zuckeberg founded Facebook. But this reversal could meet the requirements of European privacy and data protection authorities, without limiting revenue for Meta.
Meta has had problems with European regulators for some time, especially from the entry into force of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) in 2018, which imposed stricter rules on the protection of personal data in the European Union.
At the moment, however, these remain speculations: questions that Meta is asking itself internally. It remains to be seen what the users’ response could be: they will be willing to pay for privacy?
Source
The New York Times