The European Union is investigating Meta’s privacy fee, which allows users to pay for a better experience on the company’s platforms. The EU is concerned that the fee is discriminatory and could violate users’ privacy.
The fee, which was introduced in 2023, gives users who pay a monthly subscription access to features such as ad-free browsing and the ability to see who has viewed their profile. Meta has said that the fee is necessary to cover the costs of providing these features.
However, the EU is concerned that the fee could disadvantage users who cannot afford to pay. The EU is also concerned that the fee could violate users’ privacy, as it could give Meta more data about users who pay the fee.
The EU is currently investigating the fee and has not yet made a decision on whether it is legal. If the EU finds that the fee is illegal, Meta could be forced to stop charging it.
In addition to the EU’s concerns, Meta’s privacy fee has also been criticized by privacy advocates.
Privacy advocates argue that the fee is a form of discrimination and that it violates users’ privacy. They also argue that the fee is unnecessary, as Meta can already collect data about users without charging them.
Meta has defended the fee, saying that it is necessary to cover the costs of providing the features that are offered to users who pay the fee.
The company has also said that the fee is not discriminatory, as it is available to all users. Meta has also said that the fee does not violate users’ privacy, as users can choose not to pay the fee if they do not want to share their data with Meta.
The EU’s investigation into Meta’s privacy fee is ongoing.
It is not yet clear whether the EU will find that the fee is legal. If the EU does find that the fee is illegal, Meta could be forced to stop charging it.