Meta has long been at loggerheads with European Union officials over its approach to targeted Facebook and Instagram ads. The company is hoping to placate regulators with some changes to its ad model in the bloc, which includes lowering the price of its ad-free subscription. Starting November 13, the plan will cost 40 percent less — €6 ($6.36) per month for signups via the web and €8 ($8.48) for those who subscribe on an iOS or Android device. The fee for each additional Facebook and Instagram account is €4 per month on the web and €5 via mobile.

The company will automatically drop current subscribers down to the lower pricing. It says that it will once again ask users in the bloc if they'd like to sign up.

When they see this prompt (which can only be ignored for a certain period of time), there will be a third option for EU Facebook and Instagram users to choose from. Those who don't want to pay for a subscription can instead opt to only view ads that are based on what they see in a given session in the apps. Meta will also factor in a few key data markers such as "a person’s age, location, gender and how a person engages with ads."

These less-personalized ads naturally won't be as tailored to a given user's interests, the company notes. As such, people are perhaps less likely to click on such ads. To make up for that (and make sure this option doesn't hit Meta in the pocket too hard), folks who choose the less-personalized ads option will sometimes encounter unskippable ads. According to The Wall Street Journal, these will be displayed full screen.

"Such ad breaks are common across other services, and are already offered by many of our competitors," Meta argues. "This change will help us continue to provide value to advertisers which ensures we can offer people a less personalized ads experience at no charge."

Targeted ads are Meta's biggest revenue driver, but EU officials have reportedly been pressuring the company to offer a free, less-personalized option in its apps. Meta has argued that would negatively impact its bottom line. Although it has seemingly caved to officials' requests, the unskippable ad aspect may be construed as malicious compliance, as it worsens the user experience.

Meta claims that these changes to its ad model "meet EU regulator demands and go beyond what’s required" by the bloc's laws. The company introduced its ad-free subscription a year ago to comply with laws such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), as well as stricter interpretations of the General Data Protection Regulation. It was previously ordered to seek permission from users in the bloc before showing them personalized ads.

The EU didn't take too kindly to the paid ad-free approach, however. An investigation into the "consent or pay" model is ongoing. In July, the EU said that in its preliminary findings, Meta was violating the DMA with this plan.

These latest changes are said to be Meta's attempt to settle the case, but according to the Journal, the EU's discussions with the company haven't concluded. The bloc's regulatory body has until late March to finish its investigation and make a final decision. If it determines that Meta has indeed violated the DMA, the company could be on the hook for a fine of up to 10 percent of its annual global revenue. Based on its total revenue for 2023, it could have to pay up as much as $13 billion or so.

Apple has a history of eye-popping price tags, but the company is reaching new heights with a product that isn't even a gadget. After Apple Music unveiled a list of the 100 best albums of all time earlier this year, the streaming service is releasing a companion coffee table book. You can grab one of the 1,500 copies for a cool $450.

I find these endeavors to rank and quantify art hilarious, because music is subjective and personal by nature. But people do love to debate their own artistic opinions, so if that's your jam there's plenty to dig into with Apple Music's assessment. (And before you ask, the top spot was claimed by The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.) This particular countdown was assembled by "Apple Music’s team of experts alongside an exclusive group of artists including Maren Morris, Pharrell Williams, J Balvin, Charli XCX, Mark Hoppus, Honey Dijon and Nia Archives, as well as songwriters, producers and industry professionals," according to the book listing.

I'm sure this limited-run hardcover will be very beautiful, and maybe the liner notes analyzing each entry are deeply insightful. But I also wonder who would bother to buy it. If you are one of those 1,500 people who wants one, the book is due to start shipping in January.

Amazon is closing down Freevee, its free ad-supported video on demand service. This platform was home to original programming as well as more than 100 originals from the Prime Video roster. Freevee will be phased out over the coming weeks, and its content will become available as part of Prime Video. The ad-supported tier of Prime Video is included as part of Amazon's Prime membership for $15 a month.

"To deliver a simpler viewing experience for customers, we have decided to phase out Freevee branding," an Amazon spokesperson told Variety. "There will be no change to the content available for Prime members, and a vast offering of free streaming content will still be accessible for non-Prime members, including select originals from Amazon MGM Studios, a variety of licensed movies and series, and a broad library of FAST channels – all available on Prime Video."

The free viewing platform went through several rebrands since its original launch as IMDb Freedive in January 2019. It entered its final phase as Freevee in April 2022.

REACTION to the first TV crew’s story to emerge from Nauru tonight ranged from stunned to cynical. And it was a surprise to Australia’s Immigration minister.

Mumbai (AFP) Nov 2, 2024
Indian security forces killed three suspected militants in two separate firefights in disputed Kashmir, the army and a senior police official said Saturday. Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since their independence from British rule in 1947 and is home to a long-running insurgency. The first firefight broke out after Indian troops moved to check

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 05, 2024
Imagining a vast ice sheet sprawling over Canada and extending down into what is now the northern United States, reaching as far south as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, helps us grasp the scope of ancient glacial coverage between 19,000 and 26,000 years ago. Yet, while picturing this immense ice mass is fascinating, the present-day implications of its retreat - parti

Canadians are watching the U.S. election results with trepidation, knowing they have no control over the outcome that will still affect them. Polling shows Vice-President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump are neck-and-neck. 

Donald Trump's second term as U.S. president carries implications at home and abroad. That includes potentially wreaking havoc on global economies through the aggressive use of tariffs.

Cineplex Inc. says it will continue adding a fee to some online ticket purchases after being penalized earlier this fall for alleged deceptive marketing, but it will adjust how the charge is communicated to moviegoers.

Canadian rental prices fell 1.2 per cent in October compared to the same time last year. It's the first time that annual rents have declined since July 2021, according to a new report.

The employers' association is threatening to lock out workers at 9 p.m. Sunday if a deal isn't reached.

While public transit in many Canadian cities is struggling with rising fares and falling ridership, one Ontario community has more than doubled its transit use in the past two years. Orangeville has made its buses free, joining a list of much larger communities that have gone fare-free.

If it seems like the Christmas shopping season starts earlier every year, you're not wrong. In response to growing customer demand, stores of all stripes brought out their festive collections weeks before the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland is reassuring Canadians as officials worry president-elect Donald Trump’s promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants could send them northward.

Supporters say the Supreme Court of Canada's so-called Jordan ruling in 2016 has sped up proceedings and strengthened Charter rights for prompt justice. But some victims say the time limits for trials work in criminals' favour and cases continue to collapse because those limits are breached. 

The family of the late Murray Sinclair remember his life as they are joined by members of the public, the Canadian Governor General and prime minister during a commemorative service at Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre to honour his legacy Sunday afternoon.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford appears to be dipping his toe into new territory — talking about removing Mexico from the North American trade agreement.

A Canada Border Services Agency superintendent is speaking out after being targeted by the Indian government with allegations of murder and terrorism — allegations Canadian authorities say are not backed by any evidence.

You’ll start a daily workout when you get behind the wheel if you drive a Mercedes with the Fit & Healthy system.

SEMI Radradra’s sister has directly contradicted reports in the Fiji Times that her brother was leaving the NRL for French rugby.

James Van Der Beek s’est ouvert sur son combat contre le cancer.

IF you buy a large cappuccino you may find it is quite cold by the time you get to the bottom. Thankfully, there is now a solution to this.

SOME volunteer firefighters feel left in the dark after the Country Fire Authority’s board and chief executive were replaced within 24 hours.

The Arctic territory hopes that three new airports will pave the way for direct flights from the US and Europe.

Recently-released dolls tied to the new Wicked movie inadvertently carry the address of an adult website.

Office for National Statistics data suggests homeworkers get more sleep and exercise on average.

A court throws out a ruling that the gas and oil giant cut its greenhouse gas emissions.

Labor has urged Malcolm Turnbull to be more transparent about the deal reached to resettle refugees in the US.

150 minutes d’activité physique durant le week-end procure des bénéfices similaires à la même durée d’exercice répartie sur sept jours.

The National Commission for Allied Health Professionals (NCAHP), constituted by the Union ministry of health and family welfare in the beginning of this year, will have its official representative in the National

Public Sector Enterprises Selection Board (PSEB) is seeking qualified candidates for the post of managing director at the Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL) in Bengaluru. The candidate will be

Raising deep concern over the partnership between Swiggy Instamart and PharmEasy for a rapid drug delivery model, the All India Organization of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has apprised the Drug Controller

The Federation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (FOPE) has identified potential opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical companies to expand in Australia. Further, the India─Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade

The Subject Expert Committee (SEC), which advises the national drug regulator on matters related to approval of new drugs and medical devices and clinical trials, has recommended grant of market authorisation for

The Indian Council of Medical Research─National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR─NICPR) is set to launch its first─ever DHR─funded National NICPR─ECHO online certificate course on cervical

Whilst the timeline set for adhering to the revised Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act ends on December 31 for pharmaceutical companies with a turnover of less than Rs. 250 crore, the union ministry's

An inter─ministerial committee formed by the Union health ministry has recommended amendments to the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and regulations on nutraceuticals and health supplements, to shift regulation of

The Indian pharmaceutical industry is advocating for enhanced fire safety measures and improved insurance coverage for employees working in pharmaceutical facilities.

Nvision Biomedical Technologies and Invibio Biomaterial Solutions have announced that the FDA has granted clearance of the first 3D-Printed PEEK Interbody System made from PEEK-OPTIMA.

A review of 47,282 tree species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature found that more than one third are at risk of extinction

Scientific American staff and sleep experts share advice on how to get better sleep in the stressful days leading up to the U.S. presidential election—and those that come after

At dusk and dawn, the sky dances with three phases of in-between light

Pesky leaks on the International Space Station aren’t the most serious issue facing U.S. human spaceflight

A heart attack unleashes immune cells that stimulate neurons in the brain, leading to restorative slumber

Analysis of a strain of the virus circulating in Central Africa shows genetic mutations indicative of sustained human-to-human spread

Efficient machines, paper ballots and human checks make the U.S. voting system robust

This year won’t just be the hottest on record—it could be the first to surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris climate accord aims to keep warming below that level when looking over multiple years

It is difficult to disentangle Russian and Chinese scientists from international science cooperation. That is a good thing

Today’s cannabis plant is highly cultivated and incredibly potent. Treating it like a commodity, and not a testable, regulated medicine, is hurting people

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a robotic prosthetic ankle that can provide stability for lower limb amputees. The ankle uses electromyographic sensors placed on the sites of muscles in the residual limb that then convey the intentions of the wearer with regard to movement. So far, the system has been shown to […]