Facebook and Instagram: Paid subscriptions announced

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg (38) also wants to introduce a paid subscription model based on the micro-blogging service Twitter run by Elon Musk (51).

Facebook and Instagram: Paid subscriptions announced

Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg (38) also wants to introduce a paid subscription model based on the micro-blogging service Twitter run by Elon Musk (51). The entrepreneur announced this via his official Facebook account. There and on the social media platform Instagram, which also belongs to Meta, it should be possible in the future to have your account verified under the name "Meta Verified".

By checking the ID, users should be able to get the blue tick, enjoy increased protection against identity theft and have direct access to customer service. The goal is to "increase authenticity and security across services," writes Zuckerberg. "Meta Verified" will cost $11.99 a month for web users, and Apple users will have to shell out $14.99 a month. It is not yet known whether the prices in this country will be converted one to one in euros.

The subscription will be launched in New Zealand and Australia this week, and according to Zuckerberg, other countries will follow soon. At Meta, this is probably a reaction to the recent decline in revenue from online advertising.

One difference is that Meta appears to verify identity solely through ID checks, while Twitter has multiple options. According to US reports, accounts that have already been verified, such as those of stars or politicians, should also remain unaffected.

The fact that Zuckerberg will be pursuing a strategy that is fundamentally very similar to Musk's in the future has of course not escaped the attention of the multi-billionaire and numerous Twitter users. A user clapped the names "Elon Musk" and "Mark Zuckerberg" to a meme by comedian Rowan Atkinson that shows his cult figure "Mr. Bean" brazenly copying it. The former honored the action with a meaningful laugh emoji.

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