Meta has extended an olive branch to UK regulators in an attempt to end years of conflict over data privacy. However, this peace offering—a new ad-free subscription service—comes with a price tag for the very consumers it is meant to empower, costing up to £3.99 a month.
The service for Facebook and Instagram is Meta’s proposed solution to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)’s long-standing complaint that its ad-targeting model was unlawful. By providing a paid opt-out, the company is offering a way to resolve its legal troubles.
The ICO has accepted this olive branch. The regulator has agreed that the paid subscription constitutes a valid choice for users, bringing Meta’s operations into line with UK law. This marks a de-escalation in the relationship between the tech giant and its UK watchdog.
This peace offering was flatly rejected in the EU. There, the European Commission viewed the price tag not as a reasonable part of a solution, but as a coercive new problem. It fined Meta €200m instead of accepting the deal.
In the UK, the truce has been accepted. Meta has found a way to make peace with its regulator, but the cost of this peace will be passed on to any user who wishes to benefit from the new, compliant system.