Meta received a formal complaint from the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) claiming the unreasonable expensive fees for ad-free access to Facebook and Instagram for the European Union users.
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BEUC Calls Out Meta's Ad-Free Subscription Plan
The BEUC has filed a complaint with the network of consumer protection authorities citing the "unfair commercial practices" of Meta. In the press release, the organization stated that Meta created a sense of urgency for its consumers to choose between an ad-free service or a platform full of ads.
Moreover, the complaint detailed that while paying customers were promised of privacy-friendly option, Meta can still collect and use their data for other purposes aside from ads. Hence, the BEUC argued that the company is misleading its consumers.
Most importantly, the organization questions the market power of Meta in the EU market. The BEUC claimed that the choice is non-existent for users. "If they quit the services they would lose all their contacts and interactions built over the years," the organization listed.
Meta Complies With EU Regulation Through Ad-Free Service
Previously, Meta has been under investigation by the EU due to a series of issues on data collection for advertisements. Last month, the Court of Justice of the European Union accepted Meta's proposal for ad-funded service as a "valid form of consent."
Since November, EU users have been offered the choice to enjoy Facebook and Instagram without ads for €9.99 ($10.57) a month on the web and €12.99 ($13.78) monthly via Apple and Android's mobile operating systems.
Currently, the ad-free subscription is only available for users who are ages 18 and up with Meta assuring that it has plans to expand the offer to teens.
Related Article: Meta Opens Ad-Free Subscriptions in Europe Starting November
