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 has recently implemented this - 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: paying €12.99 per month, which gives him 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 will not pay almost €13 per month.

Even this price is not uniform. If the user buys a subscription on the website (ie in the browser), the price is €9.99 per month; if he signs a subscription on a mobile phone (in the application), the price of the subscription is €12.99 per month. They "justify" the higher price with the explanation that Google and Apple also take a part of the earnings, namely €3, when making an in-app purchase.

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 the 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 that 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 settings. Advertisers can continue with personalized campaigns. Meta plans to invest in tools that will allow users to control their advertising experience and is exploring options for teenagers. The new subscription model is included in Meta's business outlook with disclosed potential risks and uncertainties.”