Facebook fulfilled its prediction

The social network Facebook recently announced that it will start charging users a subscription fee in exchange for ad-free access to the platform.

Facebook recently made this a reality – also in Slovenia. Users have already started receiving notifications asking them to choose which “version” of Facebook they want to use.

The user has two options: pay €12.99 per month, which gives them access to Facebook without ads; or continue using it for free, and “discover products and brands with personalized ads.” By doing so, you also allow Facebook to use your data for advertising purposes.

The company guarantees that they will still protect personal data in accordance with GDPR legislation - of course, even if the user continues with the free version in exchange for ads and does not pay almost €13 per month.

This price is also not uniform. If a user purchases a subscription on the website (i.e. in a browser), the price is €9.99 per month; if they subscribe on their mobile phone (in the app), the subscription price is €12.99 per month. They “justify” the higher price by explaining that when purchasing in the app, Google and Apple also take a share of the earnings, namely €3.

Also interesting is the fact that if we decide to pay for the subscription, ad-free access applies to all linked accounts in the user's account center, but only until March 1 of the following year. After that, each user will have to pay €6 online or €8 in the app for each linked account.

But what could be the reason for such a move, given that Facebook has been free since its inception in 2004? In the press statement they wrote:
“Meta supports an ad-supported internet to deliver personalized products and services to everyone, benefiting small businesses and the European economy. This is in line with evolving European regulations by shifting data processing to “consent” for users in the EU, EEA and Switzerland and introducing a subscription option for an ad-free experience, which has been recognized as valid by the Court of Justice of the European Union. Users who choose free access will have the same experience and tools to manage their ad preferences. Advertisers can continue to run personalized advertising campaigns. Meta plans to invest in tools that will allow users to control their advertising experience and is exploring options for teens. The new subscription model is included in Meta’s business outlook, with potential risks and uncertainties disclosed.”