this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2026
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Meta's latest subscription move is an attempt to offset its AI bets (appleinsider.com)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by tonytins@pawb.social to c/technology@lemmy.world
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On January 26, Meta announced that it was going to test premium subscriptions across its apps. The subscriptions will offer exclusive features and expanded AI tools, while ad-supported versions remain free.

Under the test, users are presented with a clear choice between two paths. People can subscribe to use Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp without ads, or continue using the services for free while agreeing to ongoing data use for advertising purposes.

Meta claims the subscriptions will "unlock productivity, creativity, and AI-powered features," with each app receiving its own set of paid tools rather than a single bundled plan. The company isn't committing to one configuration and plans in order to experiment with different feature sets and pricing models over time.

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[–] cybernihongo@reddthat.com 19 points 1 day ago (1 children)

A premium tier for WhatsApp? The app I want to get rid of but can't because employers can't be assed to send emails or make phone calls first?

[–] baggachipz@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 day ago (2 children)

What kind of shitass employer would require the use of WhatsApp? Do they make you use TikTok to clock in?

[–] YaksDC@sh.itjust.works 10 points 22 hours ago (1 children)

A huge portion of Europe runs on WhatsApp. And many places use it as there primary communication for customers.

[–] baggachipz@sh.itjust.works 6 points 22 hours ago (2 children)

Well I blame them for making a terrible decision there. Europe does a lot of things right, this is not one of them.

[–] ranzispa@mander.xyz 1 points 4 hours ago

Indeed. It had a very quick spread when it first came out and as such it became the default way to message and call people. Nobody sends SMS. I mostly do calls through WhatsApp: I live in a foreign country and thus calling from my country's number I would occur in additional costs. I do have a phone number for the country I live in, but I don't charge it as that would require me to pay 2 phone numbers. However, across Europe internet plans do not charge extra when in another country and thus calling through WhatsApp I do not incur in extra costs.

When WhatsApp first came out that is why it became a big thing: you don't have to worry about the limit of SMS anymore. You paid 1€/year for the app and got the most basic plan which provided internet and you could send all the messages you wanted to anyone.

[–] restingboredface@sh.itjust.works 4 points 21 hours ago (2 children)

It's everywhere. Been looking at moving to Latin America (Uruguay or Panama specifically) and many businesses there don't even have/publish regular phone numbers. The tour companies I traveled with said you can't get anything done without whatsapp.

[–] ellen.kimble@piefed.social 1 points 9 hours ago

That’s how it is in Belize and Guatemala too

[–] baggachipz@sh.itjust.works 4 points 19 hours ago

Man, that would be a showstopper for me. I wish they would wake up