Meta is rolling out a new ad-free subscription service in the UK, and it’s important to understand the details. The plan offers a way to use Facebook and Instagram without advertisements, but it comes with a monthly cost and is the result of complex regulatory negotiations.
Here’s the breakdown: the service will cost £3.99 per month if you subscribe via the mobile apps (iOS or Android) or £2.99 per month if you subscribe on the web. A key benefit is that a single subscription will cover all of your linked Facebook and Instagram accounts, so you don’t need to pay twice. The service will be optional; you can continue using the platforms for free with ads if you prefer.
The reason for this change is regulatory pressure. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) told Meta that its practice of forcing users to accept personalised ads was not compliant with UK law. The ICO has given its seal of approval to this new subscription model, seeing it as a legitimate way to offer users a choice.
This plan is unique to the UK because of a growing split with the EU. In the European Union, this “pay for privacy” model was deemed illegal under the Digital Markets Act, and Meta was fined €200m. EU regulators are pushing for a free version with less data tracking, not a paid one.
In summary, UK users are getting a new choice that isn’t available in the same way elsewhere. It allows you to pay for a more private, uninterrupted service. This move, endorsed by UK regulators, reflects a “pro-business” approach that diverges significantly from the EU’s stricter, rights-based stance.