Facebook and Instagram, the subscription arrives. But only in Europe
In order to continue with the collection of data for advertising purposes also in Europe, Meta has set up a Facebook and Instagram subscription service which does not include Adv. All the details
It thundered so much that it rained. The subscription for Facebook and Instagram users that has been rumored a lot in recent weeks has finally arrived. In fact, soon, social media users in the Meta galaxy will be asked if they want to subscribe: in that case they will no longer see any advertising. Alternatively, by continuing to use both platforms free of charge, adverts will be displayed based on the personal data collected by the group.
THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM SUBSCRIPTION
More than a desire to raise cash, the proposal is an attempt by Meta to circumvent European Union rules that threaten to limit its ability to show users personalized ads without first asking users' consent, putting at risk the its main source of income.
The group does not need, as some had observed, to increase its finances through subscriptions for which it has very little hope (in fact, mass movement is difficult given that the service has so far always been free).
THE LATEST RECORD QUARTERLY
The group needs, however, to continue to fuel its business model. Despite Meta's heavy spending on the Metaverse , the accounts continue to fly well beyond expectations: in the third quarter of 2023 turnover grew by 23%, achieving the strongest acceleration since 2021 and reaching 34.15 billion dollars.
Even the forecasts that wanted the Menlo Park creature to stop at 33.56 billion were exceeded. Profits swelled by 164% to 11.54 billion and earnings per share were $4.39 versus the expected $3.63. What is all this due to? To digital advertising collection. Collection that the EU with its more stringent rules could put at risk.
THE OPTIONS OFFERED TO EUROPEAN USERS
Hence, precisely, the desire to offer users on the Old Continent the right to choose: by paying, their data will remain in its place. Conversely, if you opt for the free versions, you will pay with what the algorithms manage to glean from your browsing.
WHAT THEY SAY FROM META ABOUT FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM SUBSCRIPTIONS
“We firmly believe in an ad-supported free internet and will continue to offer free access to our products and services regardless of economic differences,” they say from Meta. “We are committed to keeping people's information private and secure, in accordance with our policies and the EU Data Protection Regulation.”
HOW MUCH DOES IT COSTS NOT TO GIVE UP YOUR DATA?
But let's now come to the question that all internet users are asking themselves: how much do you have to pay if you don't want to give up your data to Meta? In short, how much does a Facebook and Instagram subscription cost?
The cost will be 9.99 euros per month for desktop services (for the small minority who still use the browser on their PC) and 12.99 euros per month for those who browse through social media apps, both iOS and Android. Considering that Instagram is native mobile also in terms of functions, it is clear that the distinction only makes sense for Facebook. The subscription, Meta specifies, will be valid for all Facebook and Instagram accounts regardless of where the purchase is made.
Until March 1, 2024, your Facebook and Instagram subscription will be valid for all accounts connected to your Account Management Center. After that date, however, for each additional account entered in the user's Account Management Center, an additional cost of 6 months per month will be applied for subscriptions subscribed on the web and 8 months per month for those activated on iOS and Android.
TURNING POINT FOR THE GIANT FOUNDED BY ZUCKERBERG
The intention to launch a subscription option for Meta's core services represents a major turning point for the company. Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg , has long insisted that its core services should remain free and ad-supported, so as to be accessible to people of all income levels.
“You don't need thousands of dollars to connect with the people who use our services,” Zuckerberg said at a 2018 conference, in a not-so-veiled dig at rival Apple, where CEO Tim Cook, for his part, denounced what he called a “data industrial complex”. Now, however, the commodification of data is more evident than ever (and perhaps it is for the best, given that what counts is awareness): either you pay in euros or with your own data. But no social media is free.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/primo-piano/facebook-e-instagram-arriva-labbonamento-ma-solo-in-europa/ on Mon, 30 Oct 2023 14:38:20 +0000.