Friday, June 27, 2025, 11:04 AM | News
The European Union has issued a stern warning to Meta, indicating that the company could face escalating daily fines if it does not revise its controversial “Pay or Consent” model. This model forces users to either pay a subscription fee to access ad-free services without data tracking or consent to extensive personal data collection for targeted advertising.
The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), the regulatory body responsible for enforcing the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), stated that Meta’s model violates fundamental privacy principles. It presents users with a forced choice: either agree to personal data tracking or pay high subscription fees to avoid it.
The EDPB emphasized that this approach does not constitute freely given, informed consent under GDPR, which is a core requirement. Failure to comply with the EU’s demands may result in Meta incurring substantial daily fines until the company aligns its practices with European data protection standards.
Meta currently applies this model in its services such as Facebook and Instagram across Europe, sparking widespread criticism from privacy advocacy groups. Critics argue that the monthly subscription fees, which can reach up to €13, effectively act as “privacy fees,” making it difficult for many users to enjoy free, tracking-free access.
The EU has previously imposed hefty penalties on major tech firms for privacy violations. This latest warning underscores European regulators’ commitment to safeguarding users’ rights in the digital space.
