Meta is considering a subscription option for UK Facebook users after it agreed to stop targeting a campaigner with adverts based on her personal data.

The technology company said the social network it owns and Instagram were “free for British consumers because of personalised advertising”.

It comes after Meta agreed to stop targeting adverts at human rights campaigner Tanya O’Carroll after she filed a lawsuit against Facebook’s collection of personal details.

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Meta said it was “pleased to draw a line under this long-running case”.

A spokesperson said: “We fundamentally disagree with the claims made by Ms O’Carroll, no business can be mandated to give away its services for free.

“We take our UK GDPR obligations seriously and provide robust settings and tools for users to control their data and advertising preferences.

“Facebook and Instagram cost a significant amount of money to build and maintain, and these services are free for British consumers because of personalised advertising.

“Like many internet services, we are exploring the option of offering people based in the UK a subscription and will share further information in due course.”

Meta already offers an advert-free subscription option to users in the EU.

Previously:

• Facebook to stop targeting ads at UK woman after legal fight