Both Facebook and Instagram have been free for users, with revenue generated solely from display advertising paid by individual companies aiming to reach a wide user base. However, in late October, Meta Platforms representatives announced a shift in their approach, introducing a subscription fee for European users—specifically, those from the European Union (EU), Switzerland, and European Economic Area countries, including Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. This alteration aligns with Meta’s efforts to comply with EU regulatory policies, which have recently intensified scrutiny on major internet platforms and their handling of users’ personal data for targeted advertising purposes.