Meta offers to revise consent or pay model to show fewer ads and end DMA investigation

08/12/2025 | Financial Times

Meta has agreed to change its controversial Consent or Pay business model across the EU in an effort to avoid further regulatory fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The European Commission announced that the social media giant offered users an alternative way to access its Facebook and Instagram services, which would display fewer personalised advertisements.

The offer follows an EU investigation into Meta’s policy of requiring users to either consent to data tracking or pay for an ad-free service. The Commission had already fined Meta €200 million in April, ordering the company to change its model or face daily penalties. The Commission, which called the move "a very good step forward", will now assess the proposed changes before potentially closing the investigation.

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