Meta Platforms is reportedly exploring the introduction of subscription options that would allow Instagram and Facebook users in Europe to enjoy an ad-free experience, as disclosed by two individuals with knowledge of the matter on Tuesday.
Numerous pricing strategies have been under consideration, with one insider suggesting that the most viable option is a monthly fee of 10 euros ($10.49).
Another source indicated that the implementation of such subscriptions is anticipated in the coming months.
This initiative is Meta’s response to European Union regulations that pose a threat to its ability to personalize advertisements for users without their explicit consent, thereby impacting its primary revenue stream.
By presenting users with a choice between a cost-free, ad-supported plan and a paid subscription, Meta aims to enable compliance with regulations while safeguarding its advertising business.
In comparison, Netflix offers a streaming subscription at 7.99 euros for a basic plan, while Alphabet’s YouTube Premium is priced at approximately 12 euros, and Spotify’s Premium service is available for about 11 euros.
For mobile device users, the cost of a single account would rise to around 13 euros, as Meta would factor in commissions levied by Apple’s and Google’s app stores, according to the second source.
Meta has disclosed that its new AI virtual assistant, Meta AI, was developed using public posts from its users on Facebook and Instagram.
Despite this, Nick Clegg, Meta’s President of Global Affairs, emphasized that they did not use private chats from Facebook Messenger or Instagram, respecting user privacy.
Clegg indicated that most of the data Meta used for AI training was publicly accessible, and datasets containing a significant amount of personal information were intentionally left out.
This statement aims to address concerns about tech giants such as Meta, OpenAI, and Alphabet using online data without explicit consent to enhance their AI systems.
Introduced by Mark Zuckerberg during Meta’s annual product conference, Connect, Meta AI is grounded on the Llama 2 large language model and a new image-generating model named Emu.
