EU Consumer Watchdog Raises Red Flag on Meta’s No-Ads Subscription Service
The European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) has sounded the alarm on Meta Platforms’ revised no-ads subscription service, warning that it may still violate EU consumer and privacy laws, in addition to antitrust rules. This comes despite Meta’s attempts to address concerns by offering European users the option to receive less personalised ads and a 40% fee reduction last year.
A Cosmetic Fix?
BEUC, which initially complained about the fee-based service to consumer protection authorities in 2023, believes that Meta’s changes are merely superficial. According to BEUC Director General Agustin Reyna, “Meta fails to address the fundamental issue that Facebook and Instagram users are not being presented with a fair choice and is making a weak bid to argue it is complying with EU law while still pushing users towards its behavioural ads system.”
A Call to Action for Regulators
Reyna urges consumer and data protection authorities, as well as the European Commission, to swiftly investigate Meta’s latest policy and take immediate action to protect consumers if necessary. This is crucial, as BEUC alleges that Meta’s misleading practices and unclear terms steer users towards its preferred option.
Data Protection Concerns
The consumer group also raises concerns about Meta’s data collection practices, arguing that users cannot freely consent to their data being processed and that Meta does not minimise the data it collects. Furthermore, BEUC accuses Meta of degrading the service to users who do not agree to the use of their personal data.
Antitrust Regulators Weigh In
This is not the first time Meta has faced scrutiny from EU regulators. In July last year, EU antitrust regulators charged Meta with breaching the Digital Markets Act, citing its paid ad-free service as a binary choice for users. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: Meta must do more to address the concerns of EU regulators and protect the rights of its users.
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