Meta has made announcements on Monday, of its plans to introduce subscription options for an advertisement-free experience on Facebook and Instagram, marking the first time such offerings will be made available to users in Europe.

This development underscores the influence of regulatory pressures on major tech companies, compelling them to adapt their core products.

Starting next month, users can opt for monthly subscription plans priced at 9.99 euros ($10.58) for web users, while iOS and Android users will have the option to subscribe for 12.99 euros per month.

The European Union's regulations present challenges to Meta's capacity to personalize ads for users without their explicit consent, potentially impacting a significant revenue source for the company.

As the most widely used social media network globally, Meta has been under increased antitrust scrutiny within the EU. In July, it suffered a setback in its battle against a German data restriction order, as Europe's top court upheld the German antitrust watchdog's authority to investigate privacy violations.

By offering users a choice between a free, ad-supported plan and a paid ad-free subscription, Meta aims to encourage users to opt for the former. This strategy enables Meta to comply with regulations without significantly affecting its advertising business.

Earlier this year, Meta faced a 390 million euro fine from Ireland's Data Privacy Commissioner and was instructed not to rely on the so-called "contract" as a legal basis for delivering targeted ads based on users' online activities. Subsequently, the company expressed its intention to seek user consent in the EU before enabling businesses to target ads, in response to evolving regulatory requirements in the region.