Meta’s new paid ad-free subscription tiers on Facebook and Instagram in Europe have drawn scrutiny from privacy advocacy organizations.
A coalition of 28 watchdogs sent a joint letter to the European Data Protection Board warning the model could undermine GDPR privacy regulations if adopted more widely.
The groups argue that requiring users to pay to avoid invasive ads and data collection sets a dangerous precedent. It could lead to other companies copying the approach, eroding privacy rights.
Signatories included the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Wikimedia Europe, and the Electronic Privacy Information Centre.
The letter comes as the EU privacy board prepares to issue guidance on Meta’s “consent or pay” approach.
Critics say most users would not be able or willing to pay to protect themselves from excessive tracking and targeted ads.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy A35 Appears on Google Play Console Ahead of Launch
Meta contends the new paid tiers give EU users a choice between seeing ads or paying a monthly fee for an ad-free experience.
The privacy groups are urging regulators to intervene before the model spreads and fundamentally weakens data protection laws.