Is Meta’s ad-free service just another way to make people pay for privacy?

The owner of Instagram and Facebook thought an ad-free subscription service would satisfy European data cops - some advocacy groups aren't so sure

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Late last week, Europe's largest consumer rights group filed a complaint against Meta over paid versions of Instagram and Facebook that give users ad-free versions of the social media sites. The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) says the subscriptions - 9.99 per month for the web versions and 12.99 for the apps - are too expensive.

The tech giant's pay-or-consent approach is unfair and must be stopped," the BEUC said. The organisation, which filed its complaint with the EU's network of consumer protection authorities, called the prices very high" and said Meta is using unfair, deceptive and aggressive practices" while giving consumers misleading and incomplete information", according to a report by Ars Technica.