EU privacy rules may force Meta to offer subscription options for its apps

Meta might charge European Instagram users US$14 (around CA$19) per month to avoid targeted ads. It could also offer a US$17 (~CA$23) monthly fee for ad-free Facebook and Instagram on desktop. Meta reportedly plans to force subscriptions on users who reject ad tracking, based on their personal data. This is in response to a court ruling that Facebook must get users’ consent to access their data.

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Meta launches 'Super Rumble,' a cross-platform game for the metaverse

Meta

Meta is making Horizon Worlds more accessible by bringing it to the web and mobile devices. The company has launched Super Rumble, a first-person shooter game developed by its in-house studio Ouro Interactive, for a limited number of mobile users. The game is available through the Meta Quest app on Android and will soon be on iOS devices as well. Desktop users can also play the game on Horizon’s official website.

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Threads gets quoting and notifications features from Meta

One of the Threads features missing at launch was the ability to quote other people’s posts, similar to a retweet on X/Twitter. Finally, you can quote posts by clicking on the repost icon at the bottom of a post and choosing the “Quote” option. It's available on desktop now. This allows you to add your own commentary to someone else’s thread.

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WhatsApp beta hints at cross-platform compatibility

WABetaInfo

WhatsApp for Android beta update introduces a new screen called Third-party chats, according to WABetaInfo. The screen is not yet functional or accessible by users, but it suggests that Meta’s encrypted messaging app is preparing for cross-platform compatibility.

This version 2.23.19.8 beta update comes after the European Commission declared that Meta, WhatsApp’s owner, is a “gatekeeper” under the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA requires gatekeepers to ensure the openness of their digital services and to interoperate with third-party messaging apps by March 2024. 

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