Noyb Adds Complaints To Subscription Services Without Meta Platforms Ads

Privacy activist advocacy group Max Schrems (photo: x @maxschrems)

JAKARTA - Max Schrems privacy activist advocacy group, Noyb, on Thursday, January 11, expanded its complaints against subscription services without Meta Platforms ads. He also urged Austrian authorities to investigate the difficulties users face in trying to avoid tracking.

In November, Noyb had notified the Austrian Data Protection Authority that a Meta-launched subscription service in Europe was equivalent to paying to ensure privacy.

Meta says services applicable to Facebook and Instagram aim to comply with EU rules stating that users should be given the option of whether their data can be collected and used for targeted ads.

Users who give approval to track get free service, supported by ad revenue.

"While one click (free) is enough to give approval to track, users can only revoke their consent by going through a complicated process of switching to paid subscriptions," Noyb said in a statement.

They urged Austrian regulatory authorities to order Meta to provide an easy way for users to revoke their consent and also impose fines.

Meta defends its services. They say that other sectors are doing the same.

"The agency as an alternative to seeing advertising is an established and economical business model that includes many industries, from publishing news and games to music and entertainment. That's why we believe this is the best compliance solution," said a Meta spokesperson.

This complaint is likely to be forwarded to the Irish data protection watchdog who oversees Meta because it has a European headquarters in Ireland. The decision by Ireland's privacy watchdog will take effect in all blocks of 27 EU countries.