Austrian Privacy Group Files Fresh Complaint Against Meta’s Paid Ad-Free Subscription Service in Europe

Austrian Privacy Group Escalates Fight Against Meta’s Controversial Paid Subscription Service

Austrian privacy advocate Max Schrems’ Noyb group is not backing down in its battle against Meta’s paid, ad-free subscription service in Europe. The group has filed a fresh complaint with the Austrian Data Protection Authority, alleging that the social media giant is making privacy a paid luxury by making it difficult for users to opt out of data tracking.

The crux of Noyb’s argument lies in the disparity between subscribing to the ad-free option, which only requires one click, and opting out of data tracking, which is a much more complex process. The group contends that this violates EU rules and is demanding a more user-friendly opt-out mechanism for data collection and targeted advertising.

If the Austrian watchdog rules in favor of Noyb, it could potentially lead to fines for Meta for non-compliance. As Meta’s European headquarters are based in Ireland, any decision made by the Irish data protection watchdog will have implications for all 27 EU member states.

This latest complaint is just the latest salvo in Noyb’s ongoing battle against Meta’s ad-free offering. In November, the group criticized the service as “paying for privacy,” questioning the true nature of choice behind a paywall. The fight for privacy in the digital age continues to intensify, with users being forced to weigh the cost of their personal data against the convenience of an ad-free experience.

Meta’s ad-free subscription service in Europe comes at a cost of EUR 9.99 per month on the web or EUR 12.99 per month on iOS or Android per linked Facebook and Instagram accounts in a user’s Accounts Center. As the battle for privacy rages on, it remains to be seen how regulators will respond to the growing concerns over data tracking and targeted advertising in the digital realm.