This is how Meta responds to European data regulations

Meta has been sanctioned multiple times in recent years by the European Commission due to violations related to the handling of personal data and non-compliance with digital regulations. In the past year alone, fines have exceeded one billion euros. The sanctions focus on the misuse of data from European users. Lack of transparency in targeted advertising and illegal data transfers to the United States have also been highlighted.

Along the same lines, the European Union has launched several investigations against the company for possible breaches of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the regulation that establishes new obligations regarding online security and content moderation. European authorities question whether Meta is acting with due diligence in addressing misinformation and violent content. These measures are part of a broader strategy to regulate large tech platforms and strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty. The aim is to balance technological innovation with the protection of citizens’ rights.

In this context, Meta has announced that it will stop selling political advertising within the European Union starting in October. The decision responds to the entry into force of the new Regulation on transparency and targeting of political advertising. According to the company, the requirements are too complex to comply with. The regulation aims to curb political misinformation, increase transparency in online electoral campaigns, and prevent foreign interference in democratic processes. This change may directly affect how parties, movements, and organisations use social media to influence public opinion. Although political content will still exist, it will no longer be permitted to promote it through paid advertising.

Additionally, Meta has begun asking Facebook and Instagram users in Europe to choose between continuing to use the platforms with personalised advertising or paying a monthly subscription to disable it. This measure seeks to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which require greater clarity in the use of personal data and new protections for users. The paid model removes ads based on personal information, although some promotional content will still appear, such as posts from brands or creators, but without segmentation based on the user’s profile.

The subscription costs €7.99 per month on the app for the first profile and €5 for each additional account; the price is lower on the web version. European authorities are assessing whether this “pay or consent” model complies with current regulations. Choices can be changed at any time via the account management centre on each platform.