EU Commission urges Meta to address criticism of payment model

The EU Commission has called on Meta to respond to consumer advocates' criticism of its payment model for Facebook and Instagram. Various consumer protection authorities have identified potentially unfair business practices, and Meta has until September 1st to propose solutions or face potential sanctions.

The European Data Protection Board previously prohibited Meta from displaying personalized advertising without explicit user consent. In response, Meta introduced a paid subscription option for its platforms, allowing users to pay a monthly fee to opt out of ads.

Critics argue that this undermines privacy regulations and pressures users to share their data. The Commission specifically highlighted the pressure on users, who rely on Facebook and Instagram for social interaction, to make an immediate decision by denying them access until they decide.

The Commission also criticized Meta's use of imprecise language and confusing settings. If Meta fails to address the concerns, consumer protection authorities in Member States may take enforcement actions and impose sanctions.

Meta denies the allegations and argues that its subscription model aligns with the European Court of Justice's previous approval of such payment models.