The privacy association Noyb filed a complaint against Meta following the introduction of the new subscription on Facebook and Instagram, which allows paying users to delete all advertisements on the two social networks. The organization believes that this formula is contrary to European law.
“When 3% of people want to swim, but 99.9% end up in the water, even a child understands that it is not a “free” choice.” Max Schrems, president of the Noyb association, did not go out of his way to denounce the new paid subscription of Facebook and Instagram, available in Europe since the beginning of the month. For the organization protecting the privacy of Internet users, there is no doubt: this new formula is completely illegal.
On its site, the association announces that it has filed a complaint against Meta, following the establishment of this subscription, costing €12.99/month, which allows you to delete all advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. This is not Noyb’s first attempt. In 2021, the organization had already issued notice to more than 500 sites that prevented users from refusing tracking cookies. Today, Noyb still relies on European law to assert the rights of Internet users.
For this association, subscribing to Facebook and Instagram is illegal
Last July, the European Court of Justice (CJEU) required Meta to obtain the consent of its users to collect their personal data for advertising purposes. The group then thought about circumventing this measure by offering its paid formula. However, according to Noyb, consent here is not free, since the terms are imposed by the company. In addition, only 3% of Internet users are not bothered by advertising cookies, according to the association.
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But that doesn’t mean that they are willing to pay to escape the tracking of web giants. Quite the contrary: 99% indicate that they will never pay to prevent the collection of their personal data. With its subscription at €250 per year all the same, Noyb therefore believes that Meta does not offer freedom of choice to its users, and fears that this formula will give bad ideas to the competition.
Source: Noyb