"Some might argue that we're now 'paying' for social media not only through the amount of ads we're subjected to on a daily basis but also through our data, yet that could soon change if a controversial new trial from Meta goes ahead. As reported by the BBC, the owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp has proposed a test period for premium subscriptions, introducing the possibility of locking content behind a paywall across its social media empire."
"The focus for this isn't what you might expect though, as it appears to be solely centered on advanced AI tools that Meta has recently acquired through the purchase of Chinese-founded firm Manus for $2 billion back in December 2025. It appears as if paying subscribers would be able to take advantage of 'agent-like' AI tools that require fewer instructions from users and can perform more complex, multi-level tasks, alongside access to its AI video-generation app Vibes."
Meta plans a trial of premium subscriptions across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp that could lock advanced AI features behind paywalls. Paying subscribers would gain access to 'agent-like' AI tools requiring fewer instructions and capable of complex, multi-step tasks, plus the AI video-generation app Vibes. Meta acquired Manus for $2 billion in December 2025 to obtain these capabilities. The trial follows earlier moves restricting posting without subscription and offering ad-free paid tiers. Observers warn that placing core AI capabilities behind payment could drive significant user departure from the platforms given the internet's historic value of free, universal access.
Read at UNILAD Tech
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