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Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Meta launches paid subscription for apps in Australia, New Zealand

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 Feb 2023 11:07
3 Min Read

Meta CEO claims the new feature is aimed at increasing authenticity and security.

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  • Small figurines are seen in front of displayed Meta logo in this illustration taken February 11, 2022. (Reuters)
    Small figurines as seen in front of displayed Meta logo in this illustration taken February 11, 2022 (Reuters)

Facebook and Instagram launched their first paid verification service on Friday in Australia and New Zealand, testing the users' readiness to pay for social media features, which have always been free until now. 

The service launched in Australia and New Zealand before appearing in large markets as a start. It will cost US$11.99 for web users and US$14.99 for iOS and Android mobile users.

Ever since the launch, subscribers in said countries who provide Meta with government-issued IDs are able to apply for the verification, which will include several extra features, including increased visibility, protection against impersonation, and direct access to customer support. 

Read more: Meta charges Facebook & Instagram users for blue tick & adds features

Meta plans to gradually roll out access to verified Facebook and Instagram accounts and expects to reach a full 100% availability within the first week of its launch. However, weirdly enough, some users in Sydney reported their inability to subscribe to the service as it was unavailable on the first day of its rollout.

"This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services," Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote in a statement posted on Facebook and Instagram.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mark Zuckerberg (@zuck)

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According to experts, subscribers of this feature will most likely be content creators and influencers who make living online. This is a way by which Meta can mine more revenue from its two billion users.

Jonathon Hutchinson, a lecturer in online communication at the University of Sydney, referred to this service as a "VIP" and might be valuable for a content creator. 

Naturally, since Meta already makes vast sums from users' data, many were skeptical to pay for this service.

Ainsley Jade, a 35-year-old social media user in Sydney, views this service as a way to put your whole life on social media, emphasizing that people are moving in that direction more and more. She added that she would definitely not pay for it. 

Some were confused as to why Facebook and Instagram would launch such a service shortly after their rival, Twitter, did the same only weeks ago which did not reach extraordinary results.  

Hutchinson indicated Meta's willingness to try new and risky models are times and sometimes ends up dropping features that do not work. 

"I think it's part of a slow-burning strategy to move toward a model that is not free, where more and more services and functionality will be a paid or subscription-based service," he told AFP.

"I think over the long-term the functionality that we have now -- joining groups, selling things on 'Marketplace'- all of these add-ons that have emerged on Facebook over the years will eventually become subscription-based services."

Read next: Meta allows targeted hate speech, violence, but only against US rivals

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  • Australia
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