Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is discussing the possibility of introducing a subscription plan for their services in India by 2024.
The talks are still in the early stages and revolve around conforming to global tech regulations, including those in India. The company is worried about potential changes to internet practices and is considering an ad-free subscription plan as a solution, according to a report by Mint.
"While the firm is striving to comply with the newly enacted Digital Personal Data Privacy (DPDP) Act, there will be intensified discussions on the optimal ways to ensure full compliance with data protection regulations. A pilot for a paid, ad-free subscription option for users in India, following a trial in the EU, is likely to be rolled out in mid- or late-2024," according to a source that spoke to Mint.
Meta had earlier informed regulators that it plans to charge users 10 euros ($10.46) per month for a Facebook or Instagram account on a desktop, and 6 euros for each additional linked account. This is being done to conform to European Union’s user privacy regulations.
Meta would factor in commissions charged by Apple's and Google's app stores on in-app payments, causing the price to increase to approximately 13 euros per month on mobile devices.
In other news, Meta has partnered with the International Cricket Council to expand the coverage of the 50-over Cricket World Cup taking place in India right now. The partnership is believed to be the ‘largest-ever creator campaign for any ICC tournament’. The campaign will involve more than 500 creators on Meta's platforms.
