INSTAGRAM and Facebook have introduced a major change – and users aren’t happy.
The social media duo are now charging users to use key features, including verification.
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It’s part of a new subscription model, called Meta Verified.
It costs $11.99 (£9.96) a month on web or $14.99 (£12.45) for iPhone users.
This means iPhone-based subscribers in the UK (when it is rolled out worldwide) could fork out as much as £150 a year for the package.
It includes a blue tick, which signals that a profile is being operated legitimately by whoever says they are running it.
Paying users will also gain increased visibility for their posts, easier access to customer service alongside having better protection against impersonators.
Currently, the package is only available to those in Australia and New Zealand.
It’s expected to be rolled out worldwide after a trial period.
But searches for ‘Deactivate Instagram’ and ‘Deactivate Facebook’ have rocketed since parent company Meta announced the change, according to cybersecurity company VPOverview.
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It is likely to be popular among the apps’ so-called influencers – people who have large followings and are at greater risk of being impersonated because of their notoriety.
Monetisation of social media has become more common after new GDPR and privacy laws made it harder for Big Tech companies to sell your data without consent.
The move follows Twitter boss Elon Musk charging users to use its secure two-factor authentication feature.
It is a new move to entice users to pay for Musk’s Twitter Blue plan, which charges users for a blue verification tick.
The blue tick was previously free before Musk’s $44billion takeover of the app.
How do I sign up to Meta Verified?
To become Meta Verified, users need to be at least 18-years-old.
Users must also submit a form of identification, such as a passport or driving license.
The Facebook and Instagram profile must match the name and photo on the given ID.
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