Meta unveiled the paid version of Instagram; How is it different from regular Instagram?

Meta unveiled the paid version of Instagram for some users. But what is the difference between the premium version of Instagram and the regular version and what will be the purpose of buying a subscription?

Meta is launching a paid subscription service that removes ads from Facebook and Instagram. The service is available to users across the EU and costs €9.99 per month for the web version or €12.99 per month for the iOS and Android versions.

Meta aims to provide a paid version of Instagram and Facebook

Meta’s goal of providing this shared service is to address EU concerns regarding ad targeting and user data collection practices for advertising purposes. By forcing users to choose between paying extra for the service in order to remove ads or using the service for free with ads, Meta is trying to circumvent privacy rules in European data laws, including the Digital Markets Act.

In a blog post announcing the launch of its new subscription service, Meta said, “We respect the spirit and purpose of evolving European regulations and will be committed to complying with them.” Meta also announced that those who do not want to pay extra for the paid version of Instagram and Facebook can still have free access to these social networks, and the experience of users who do not purchase a subscription service will not change. With the difference that for these people, ads will still be displayed.

Instagram’s paid ad removal service will currently only be available to people over 18 in the EU, EEA and Switzerland, and will initially apply to linked Facebook and Instagram accounts. As of March 1, 2024, each linked account must pay €6 for the web version or €8 for the iOS and Android version to purchase this paid service. Meta emphasized that until the user buys this subscription service, his data and information will not be used for advertising targeting.

In fact, Meta has implicitly confirmed that the information of users who do not purchase the paid version of Instagram and Facebook will still be used for advertising purposes. Meta is also said to be developing a separate plan for teen and under-18 users. The company told the Wall Street Journal that it will temporarily stop serving ads to teen users in the European region starting Nov. 6, without giving further details.

Meta’s statements clearly show that the company still prioritizes serving ads to its regular users. Instagram’s paid service will only be launched in regions with strict consumer data laws, and even in these regions, it will be available to users on an optional basis. In a blog post, the company believes in an ad-supported internet and offers its paid service exclusively as an optional product to comply with European regulations.

However, removing ads and not abusing user information for advertising purposes is what everyone wants. We have read many times in technology news that Meta products, including Facebook and Instagram, track users’ information in cyberspace and display advertisements to them based on user behavior. Now, it remains to be seen how many users agree to buy Meta’s paid service to prevent misuse of their information and also to not display ads. Also, we have to wait and see if this subscription service will be offered in other regions and countries or will it be only for European users?