Social Media Advertising Choices: Dissecting Instagram and Facebook Policies

Social Media Advertising Choices: Dissecting Instagram and Facebook Policies

Meta Corporation, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has introduced a new policy that requires users to either pay for a subscription or consent to their data being used for targeted advertising. This model, known as "pay or consent," has sparked debate and is currently under scrutiny by EU regulators.

Data Collection and Ad Selection

Under the "pay or consent" model, Meta collects user data to serve personalized ads. However, according to the EU's Digital Markets Act, Meta is required to offer alternatives that are less personalized but equivalent in functionality if users do not consent to data processing.

The EU's push for alternatives aims to reduce the reliance on user data for ad targeting without compromising user experience. This means that users who opt for less personalized ads may experience more ad interruptions, such as ad clips before scrolling through their feed.

Changing Ad Settings on Instagram and Facebook

If you wish to adjust your ad preferences on Instagram or Facebook, follow these steps:

For Instagram:

1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Tap on your profile picture, then select "Settings."
3. Scroll down to "Account" and select it.
4. Tap on "Data Protection & Privacy."
5. Look for options related to ad preferences, such as "Manage Ad Preferences" or "Ad Settings."
6. Modify your ad preferences by selecting less personalized ads or opting out where possible.

For Facebook:

1. Launch the Facebook app or website.
2. Click on your profile picture, then select "Settings & Privacy" and choose "Settings."
3. Scroll down to "Your Information" on the left side.
4. Click on "Data & Privacy."
5. Look for the "Ad Preferences" section.
6. Modify your ad preferences by selecting less personalized ads or opting out where possible.

Key Points

• Meta Corporation collects data for personalized advertising, including from usage behavior, regardless of payment status.
• The consumer advocates criticize that data is collected even when users pay for the service.
• The €5.99 monthly fee for ad-free use applies per network account when subscribed through a web browser.
• Meta will continue to collect data for its own commercial purposes, regardless of ad preference or payment status on Facebook and Instagram.
• Facebook and Instagram users will face more ad interruptions with less personalized ad options.

It's important to note that as of November 2024, Meta introduced an "Additional Ads" option, which provides less personalized ads but with mandatory ad breaks. However, the compliance of this model with EU regulations is still under evaluation. Users are encouraged to make a selection on the topic of advertising to ensure they are comfortable with how their data is being used.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, a region where many tech-savvy individuals reside, the debate over Meta Corporation's new "pay or consent" policy on Instagram and Facebook has gained attention. This policy requires users to either pay for a subscription or consent to their data being used for targeted advertising in social-media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, potentially leading to a shift in entertainment consumption patterns. Despite paying for ad-free use on these platforms, concerns have been raised about the collection of user data even in such scenarios.

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