Meta reportedly announces more user choices across its platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, in compliance with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA). Headlining the updates are more choices within Facebook and Instagram's information and account integration.
As per Meta, the updates available for users in the EU, as well as countries within the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, will support the option for users to either keep their connections active between Facebook and Instagram accounts through 'Accounts Center', thus allowing their information to be shared between their accounts, or handle their Facebook and Instagram accounts independently to stop their data from being transferred between accounts.
(Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
A photograph taken during the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 18, 2024, shows the logo of Meta, the US company that owns and operates Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp.
Reuters states that these features come amidst the EU's DMA, which requires tech firms to treat their services and goods the same as they do competitors', which Meta and all other Big Tech businesses must abide by by March 7. Aside from Facebook and Instagram's integration, Meta also announced various new options within Facebook's Messenger, Marketplace, Gaming, and Advertisements.
Read Also: Apple Sideloading for iOS Apps Coming to EU Users Only, Under DMA
Fewer Facebook Information Integration
Users of Facebook Messenger will reportedly have the option to establish a new, standalone Messenger account or to keep using Facebook Messenger in conjunction with their Facebook account.
The main features of Messenger, including audio, video, and private messaging, are stated to be still available to anyone who chooses to register for a new account without using their Facebook credentials.
Users of Facebook Marketplace will soon also have the option of whether or not their Facebook information could be used during the Marketplace experience. The existing Marketplace experience will continue to be available to those who use their Facebook information.
The primary distinction is that contact between buyers and sellers will now occur via email rather than Facebook Messenger for those who want not to utilize their Facebook identity for Marketplace activities.
Nevertheless, users can still browse listings and purchase and sell goods. Facebook Gaming, on the other hand, will allow players to have the option to select between using their Facebook information or opt not to during their gaming sessions.
Features like multiplayer gaming, in-game purchases, and customized game recommendations are available to Facebook game players who utilize their friend list. Some single-player games are available to those who do not want to have their Facebook login information used for Facebook games.
Meta's announcement also states that users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can use Facebook and Instagram for free with advertisements or subscribe to remove them. People's information will not be utilized for ads if they subscribe to avoid viewing them, an option that became available last November 2023.
Meta's Response
According to Forbes, Tim Lamb, director of competition and regulatory at Meta, praised the new choices and said that, in addition to these new options, users of Facebook and Instagram will "benefit" from the extensive array of existing tools that Meta has developed to give people control over the information they share and how Meta handles their data.
These updates reportedly come after a similar one from Google earlier this month, which stated that customers can limit data sharing between services, including Google Maps, YouTube, Search, and Chrome. Both situations have changed as a result of the DMA. EU's DMA reportedly named six businesses "gatekeepers" last September, including Meta and Alphabet, Google's parent company.
Related Article: Big Tech Companies Like Meta, Microsoft Are Not Respecting New EU Competition Rules, Rivals Claim
