• Meta will offer ad-free subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram in the UK.
• The subscription costs £2.99 per month on the web and £3.99 on mobile apps.
• This move is in response to UK regulatory guidelines and user privacy concerns.
• Ad revenues had previously accounted for nearly 98% of Meta's total revenue.
• The subscription model provides a choice to users between personalized advertising and a paid option.

Meta Platforms has announced the launch of paid, ad-free subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram in the United Kingdom, which will be available in the coming weeks. The subscription model allows users to pay £2.99 per month for web access or £3.99 on iOS and Android, to enjoy these platforms without seeing advertisements. This initiative marks Meta's ongoing attempts to address increasing privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny regarding its advertising practices, especially following similar changes initiated in the European Union, according to BBC, India Times, and Africa News.

The UK rollout comes after comprehensive discussions with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which has raised concerns regarding social media firms' handling of personal information. Meta has stated that the introduction of this ad-free option is designed to empower users with more control over their online experience while still enabling the company to provide free, ad-supported services to users who opt not to pay, as reported by Reuters and The Jakarta Post.

Meta's advertising revenue accounted for approximately 98% of its total revenue in the previous year, making it crucial for the company to balance compliance with privacy regulations while sustaining its revenue model. The new subscription will allow users who prefer not to see personalized ads the option to subscribe instead, reflecting a response to evolving regulatory needs, according to BBC, Reuters, and India Times.