Meta Launching Free Subscription For Ad-Free Experience In Europe

by

31 October 2023

News

Meta Launching Free Subscription For Ad-Free Experience In Europe

Facebook and Instagram will be removing ads from their platforms and are introducing a paid subscription for users to avail of the feature. The service is available all over the European Union. It will be offered for roughly €9.99 per month on the web or €12.99 / month on iOS and Android to account for additional fees.

Meta issued in their statement, “To comply with evolving European regulations, we are introducing a new subscription option in the EU, EEA and Switzerland. In November, we will be offering people who use Facebook or Instagram and reside in these regions the choice to continue using these personalized services for free with ads, or subscribe to stop seeing ads. While people are subscribed, their information will not be used for ads.”

The subscription has been introduced to address the concerns of the European Union about Meta’s ad targeting and data collection practices. Meta believes the new policy will have a more clear and definitive privacy requirement met. The requirements are set by the European data laws that include the Digital Markets Act and GDPR.

Free access that comes with ads is set to remain available. “If you choose to continue to use our products for free, your experience will stay the same – and that experience will continue to be supported by the tools and settings that we have created to empower people to control their ads experience,” Meta explained.

Meta has written in their blog post while announcing the subscription, “We respect the spirit and purpose of these evolving European regulations, and are committed to complying with them.”

The ad-free subscription will be available only for those 18 and above in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. It will initially apply across all linked Facebook and Instagram accounts. Eventually, however, Meta will be charging extra for linked accounts.

Starting March 1st, 2024, there will be an additional fee of €6 on the web or €8 on iOS and Android per linked account. The company told The Wall Street Journal that it will temporarily stop showing ads to teenagers in the region from November 6.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Taylor Swift Sends Kelly Clarkson Flowers After Every Re-Recording

Taylor Swift Sends Flowers to Kelly Clarkson After Re-Recording

Kelly Clarkson has recently told the media about the sweet gesture Taylor Swift shows each time she re-records her albums. The host of Kelly Clarkson Show revealed to E! News, “You know what's so funny? She just sent me flowers. She's so nice. She did. She was like, 'Every time I release something'—'cause she just did 1989. I got that really cute cardigan, too." As we know, Kelly had suggested in a tweet back in 2019 that Taylor should re-record her music after Scooter Braun's company Ithaca Holdings LLC acquired her former label Big Machine Label Group, and got hold of the rights to the masters for her first six studio albums. And that's precisely what Taylor did - she re-recorded her music. The Breakaway singer insists however that Taylor would have re-recorded even if Kelly had not made the suggestion. https://twitter.com/PopCrave/status/1722801460901986399?s=20 Kelly went on, "I love how kind she is though. She's a very smart businesswoman. So, she would have thought of that. But it just sucks when you see artists that you admire and you respect really wanting something and it's special to them. You know if they're going to find a loophole, you find a loophole. And she did it and literally is, like, the best-selling artist I feel like of all-time now." The American Idol ex has praised the efforts of Swift fans for supporting Taylor all along. Kelly concluded, "It's so cool to see a fanbase really get behind her in that too because it's important. She's known for being such an incredible songwriter and the soundtrack to a lot of people's lives and that's her life. So, you should have the option of owning that." Kelly is now the daytime talk show host of her show and is also the owner of SiriusXM channel Kelly Clarkson Connection. She told E! at SiriusXM’s Major Next Generation event, "We called it Kelly Clarkson Connection because there is literally no connection with all the music I'm playing except that I like it. I've always wanted since I was a kid—I didn't understand why Whitney Houston and Nirvana couldn't be played on the same channel. Like, I like both, so why can't we do that?" Read Also: Its A Clash For Dr Disrespect And Ninja Over Multi-Streaming: Report Taylor Swift’s “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” Becomes #1 On Billboard 200’s With Record-Breaking Debut

READ MOREDetails
Fake Health News

7 Shocking Causes of Fake Health News & Their Consequences 

The term “Fake News” has existed since the 1800s but has resurged in the last decade.   Often, one political side uses it as a defense mechanism against negative articles. The result is societal confusion over what’s true and what’s not.  When health news becomes unreliable, the consequences are more severe. This trend, fueled by political partisanship, has become increasingly dangerous.   Generally, mainstream media like television and print journalism maintain enough integrity to avoid spreading fake health news. However, in the social media landscape, fake stories spread rapidly with a simple click. The Causes The primary cause of fake health news is profit. More shares and likes equal more advertising opportunities. The healthcare industry, especially pharma, spends heavily on advertising.   With every click generating potential revenue, it’s no surprise that some lesser “news” services embellish or even lie to grow their following.  For example, a fake article on “Natural News” claimed the cancer industry was a scam for profit. It received 5.4 million hits, and the site’s Facebook page gained over 3 million followers.   Popularity pays!  In social media monetization, influencers can earn about $10 per 1,000 followers for sponsored content.   Once they hit 1 million followers, they can make up to $1,000 per post solely through advertising.  The Consequences As social media continues to expand, the potential for spreading fake news also grows. The issue needs attention because the consequences can be real and even fatal.   Some stories don’t cause direct harm, such as one claiming ginger is a better cancer treatment than chemotherapy. Still, they mislead people away from proper care.  For patients with terminal illnesses, hope is everything. False stories, like one about a diabetes cure in Mexico, can give false hope to those desperate for solutions. The most harmful fake news encourages the use of FDA-unapproved products.   Although these stories often remain on social media, even the U.S. president once promoted a chemical as a COVID-19 cure.   Clinical trials showed that the chemical increased heart attack risks and was not safe for such use. The Cure Given social media’s global reach, the best way to combat fake news is through education.  Teaching about its dangers can prevent this from becoming a generational issue, unlike other falsehoods rooted in fear.   Currently, many prominent social media platforms flag posts containing false or misleading information.  People believe in fake news because it aligns with their existing beliefs. This makes government regulation challenging, especially as new social media platforms arise, vowing not to flag any content. Again, this approach is money-driven. How to Check Whether a Health News Over Social Media is Fake  With the deluge of health news filling up your Facebook feed, it’s important to know how to spot real from fake.   Sure, fake news can be damn convincing these days — but there are a few good tricks of the trade to protect yourself.  Check the Source First and foremost, always check the source. Is the article coming from a reputable organization or a well-known health authority?   Credible sources include government health agencies, recognized research institutions and trusted news outlets.   If the source is obscure or lacks a professional presence, be cautious. A questionable source can be a red flag even if the information seems convincing.  Reference Studies Legitimate health news should reference studies, expert opinions, or credible data. If the article cites scientific research, look for links to peer-reviewed journals or established medical websites.   Beware of articles that make sensational claims without backing them up with evidence. Even when there’s a study mentioned, ensure it’s recent, relevant, and conducted by recognized experts in the field.  Watch for Emotional Triggers Fake health news often relies on emotional triggers to generate clicks.   If a post uses language like “miracle cure” or “secret the government doesn’t want you to know,” it appeals to your emotions rather than your intellect.   Real health information is rational, calm, and devoid of sensationalism.  Compare against other Reliable Sources If you’re not sure if a piece of information is accurate, see if other reliable sources report similar news.   In fact, if the news article is true, it will likely be reported by more legitimate organizations or outlets as well.   If you only find that news on questionable sites or personal blogs, it’s better to ignore them.  Check the Writer’s Background Who wrote the article? Is it a doctor, a journalist with a strong history of health reporting, or an expert in the field?   If you can’t tell, don’t know what the writer has for credentials, or don’t tie closely to health, their information may be iffy.  Watch out for Biased (and sponsored) Content Sometimes, content is created to sell something, whether it’s a product or an idea. Sponsored articles, particularly those highlighting supplements or treatments, are usually biased.   Check for disclaimers and consider whether the article is more about making money than offering accurate health information.  Publication Date Health guidelines and research are constantly evolving. An article that’s a few years old may not be accurate or relevant anymore.   Be sure to check when it was published to get the most current information.  Use Fact-Checking Websites Lastly, consult fact-checking websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org, or Health Feedback to fact-check a suspicious claim.   These platforms research and investigate viral stories and can usually verify whether something is true or not. Read Also: How to Keep up on the Latest News How Cutting Edge Technology is Helping Dubai Improve its Healthcare Services Health Tips For Managing High Cholesterol

READ MOREDetails
NBCUniversal BMW Canada, Pinterest And Soylent Are 2023 Finalists For Greater Good Awards

NBCUniversal BMW Canada, Pinterest & Soylent Finalists 2023

One of the top things that ruled this year’s Greater Good Nominations is sustainability. Companies have been shortlisted based on their efforts to create a better future. Corporations around the world are investing in areas that need awareness and development. Centralizing the causes they stand for, companies are making it their mission to stand by them through their line of business. Automaking giant BMW Canada has earned a nomination in the Sustainability category for their campaign supporting their new line of electric vehicles. BMW’s latest EV iX xDrive50 drove a campaign to raise awareness about the company’s strong commitment to environmental conservation. Being a leading electric vehicle maker BMW Canada joined hands with Media Experts and CBC to come up with a branded series of content highlighting the people behind green technology. They also managed to subtly integrate the iX xDrive50 into the campaign. The carmaker and media houses also worked with Sharethrough to fund carbon-offsetting ventures. https://twitter.com/GoodwillFinds_/status/1711829931972325780?s=20 Soylent has been nominated in the World Hunger category for their brand donations that are worth $2.4 million USD of their products in the fiscal year of 2022. They have donated to shelters, food banks, and other communities facing food shortages. Pinterest has been named in the Better Future category, which aims to recognize campaigns and initiatives supporting the long-term future by sponsoring areas of science, technology, environment, and security. As part of their support for environmental causes, they provided advertising credits to increase the traffic on climate change content on the platform. In the Social Justice category, NBCUniversal is one of the nominees for the Plan Your Vote campaign that they carried out during the 2020 pandemic. It returned again in 2022 to help Americans move through the changes in voting rules. Microsoft Teams used the entire Comcast NBCUniversal ecosystem, adding a bilingual marketing campaign to reach a larger audience.  This marketing campaign brought in 764 million impressions on all the platforms of Comcast NBCUniversal in 2022. It also earned an estimated media value of above $3 million USD. Learn More About: YouTube Ends Premium Lite Plans After 2 Year Trial Period! Get Your Deets Yellow Metal Is Expected To Be At A Range-Bound With A Minimal Bearish Bias

READ MOREDetails