Meta's Instagram and Facebook are reportedly gearing up to introduce subscription-based ad-free services for users in the European Union (EU), as part of their efforts to comply with evolving regulations. According to sources familiar with the matter, several pricing options have been considered, with the most viable being a 10 euro ($10.49) per month subscription plan. This move comes as Meta faces increasing pressure from EU regulations that restrict its ability to personalize ads without user consent, posing a potential threat to its primary revenue stream.

In response to these regulatory challenges, Meta is contemplating offering EU users a choice between a free, ad-supported plan and a paid subscription service. This strategic approach aims to encourage users to opt for the ad-supported option, allowing Meta to align with EU regulations while safeguarding its advertising business.

For mobile users, the subscription fee is expected to increase to approximately 13 euros due to additional commissions imposed by Apple's and Google's app stores, as revealed by one of the sources.

To put this subscription cost in perspective, popular streaming service Netflix charges 7.99 euros for its basic plan, while Alphabet's YouTube Premium comes in at around 12 euros, and Spotify's Premium service is priced at approximately 11 euros.

It's worth noting that Meta previously faced a substantial fine of 390 million euros from Ireland's Data Privacy Commissioner earlier this year. The company was also instructed not to use the controversial "contract" basis for delivering targeted ads based on users' online activities. In response, Meta announced its intention to seek user consent in the EU before allowing businesses to target ads, a move aimed at addressing the evolving regulatory landscape in the region.

A spokesperson from Meta expressed the company's commitment to "free services supported by personalized ads" while acknowledging their exploration of various options to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements that continue to evolve.

As of now, Meta, Ireland's Data Protection Commission, and the European Commission have declined to provide further comments on this development.

Samsung's Latest Tech Unveilings: From S23 FE to Galaxy Tab S9 FE

Now this Made-in-India car got 5-star safety rating, see the crash test like this