Facebook and Instagram to charge UK users £3.99 a month for ad-free version

Facebook and Instagram are introducing a paid subscription service in the UK, offering users an ad-free experience for a monthly fee of up to £3.99. This move comes as a response to regulatory concerns over the companies' data-driven targeted advertising practices. The subscription service is Meta's (Facebook's parent company) attempt to address the growing scrutiny and criticism surrounding the use of user data for targeted advertising. By providing an ad-free option, the social media platforms aim to give users more control over their online experience and privacy. The launch of this paid service in the UK is a significant step, as regulators have been increasingly concerned about the impact of targeted advertising on user privacy and the potential for misuse of personal data. The subscription offering provides an alternative for users who are willing to pay to avoid the targeted ads that have been the core of the platforms' business models.