Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has launched new subscription packages as an option for users wanting monthly memberships, offering exclusive premium features.
Naomi Gleit, Meta's Head of Product, announced via a video on Instagram that the company is preparing to launch Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus. She also mentioned that future packages will be introduced for businesses, creators, and AI-related services.
Reports state that Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will cost $3.99 per month, approximately 145 baht, while WhatsApp Plus will be priced at $2.99 per month, about 109 baht.
Paid users of Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will receive features including more detailed data analytics, story viewer statistics, increased audience reach opportunities, and additional profile customization options.
WhatsApp Plus will focus on customization features such as premium stickers, exclusive ringtones, and special app themes.
This announcement quickly sparked criticism as many users feel that social media platforms, which were previously free, are gradually pushing users toward paid systems to access better features.
Meta's move comes amid intense investor scrutiny as the company invests heavily in AI. It anticipates spending between $125 billion and $145 billion this year on AI data centers. Following the paid subscription announcement, Meta's stock price rose nearly 3%.
Previously, since 2023, Meta has offered ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram in Europe to comply with the European Union's data protection laws, allowing users to choose between a free ad-supported version or a paid ad-free experience.
. . .channelnewsasia
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