Meta proposes charging monthly fee for ad-free Instagram and Facebook in Europe
CBSN
Meta is considering charging European users for versions of its Instagram and Facebook apps, which are currently free, to comply with European Union regulations.
The technology company has proposed charging Instagram and Facebook users in Europe about $13 a month to avoid seeing ads, a source told CBS MoneyWatch. That's roughly what competitors such as YouTube Premium charge for accounts in Europe. The Wall Street Journal first reported on Meta's plan.
Meta is required to comply with European Union privacy rules that restrict its ability to target users with personalized ads based on their online browsing activity. Facebook and Instagram, which are free, are largely supposed by advertising. Ireland's Data Privacy Commissioner previously fined the company for requiring app users to consent to viewing ads based on their online activity.

We share our planet with maybe 10 million species of plants, animals, birds, fish, fungi and bugs. And to help identify them, millions of people are using a free phone app. "Currently we have about six million people using the platform every month," said Scott Loarie, the executive director of iNaturalist, a nonprofit.

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