Meta is exploring the introduction of a subscription option for Facebook users in the UK, following its agreement to stop targeting human rights campaigner Tanya O’Carroll with personalized ads. The development comes after O’Carroll filed a lawsuit challenging Facebook’s use of her personal data for direct marketing.
The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) confirmed that Meta had been processing O’Carroll’s data for targeted advertising and stated that individuals have the “absolute right to object” to such practices under UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In response, Meta agreed to stop using her data for direct marketing, a move O’Carroll described as a “victory” for digital privacy rights across the UK and EU.
“In settling my case, Meta has agreed to stop processing my personal data for direct marketing purposes,” O’Carroll wrote on LinkedIn. “I believe this is a victory not just for me but for every UK and EU citizen as it paves the way for the right to object to be used to stand up to surveillance-advertising across the web.”
While Meta stated it was “pleased to draw a line” under the dispute, the company maintained that it disagrees with the claims made. A spokesperson emphasized the role of personalized advertising in keeping its platforms free to users, adding that the company is now “exploring the option of offering people based in the UK a subscription.” Meta already offers an ad-free subscription option in the EU, and this potential shift in the UK could signal broader changes in how social media platforms approach data privacy and monetization.
