EU users can choose to see less personalized Facebook ads
What's the story
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced a major change for its users in the European Union. The company will soon give these users an option to share less data and see less personalized ads on its platforms. The European Commission announced that this change would start rolling out from January.
User choice
Meta's new approach to data sharing
The European Commission said this is the first time such an option has been offered on Meta's social networks. The company will give users a clear choice: either agree to share all their data for fully personalized advertising or opt for less personal data sharing with more limited personalized advertising. This move aligns with the European Commission's regulatory environment and offers users more choices regarding their data privacy.
Subscription plans
Response to EU's 'consent or pay' ruling
The change comes after the European Commission had fined Meta €200 million over its ad-free subscription plans in the EU, which were deemed "consent or pay." In 2023, Meta started offering these ad-free subscriptions to EU users and later reduced their price after facing criticism from the Commission. However, these plans haven't been very popular among users.
Economic impact
Meta defends the value of personalized ads
In response to the European Commission's statement, a Meta spokesperson said they "acknowledge" it. The spokesperson defended personalized ads by saying they are crucial for Europe's economy. They added that last year, Meta's ads were associated with €213 billion in economic activity and also supported 1.44 million jobs across the EU. This statement highlights the company's commitment to its advertising model despite regulatory challenges.