New Mother Prevails in Landmark Meta Ad Lawsuit, Prompting UK Subscription Fee Warnings
Landmark Meta Ruling Lets UK Users Opt Out of Targeted Ads—But a Subscription May Follow
By Olivia Christie
Updated: 09:06 BST, 22 March 2025
[IMAGE: Tanya O’Carroll, a 37-year-old human rights campaigner, standing confidently outside a courthouse.]
British consumers may soon escape targeted online ads after a groundbreaking legal victory by mother Tanya O’Carroll against Meta, Facebook’s parent company. The 37-year-old sued Meta in 2022, claiming she was relentlessly targeted with baby-related content following her daughter’s birth in 2017.
The Lawsuit
O’Carroll alleged Meta violated UK data laws by refusing her request to stop collecting her personal information. She discovered Facebook had cataloged over 700 traits about her—from vacation preferences to shopping habits—based on her activity. Despite her attempts to adjust privacy settings, she faced a broken link and no escape from ads. After a three-year battle, Meta settled, agreeing to halt targeted ads for O’Carroll and potentially reshaping social media privacy standards.
[IMAGE: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg at a tech conference, looking contemplative.]
Meta’s Response
Meta denies wrongdoing but announced it may launch a paid, ad-free subscription service in the UK, mirroring its €7.99/month offering in the EU post a 2023 court ruling. The company defended its ad-based model, stating, “Services like Facebook and Instagram cost billions to maintain. Personalized ads keep them free.”
Wider Implications
The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) backed O’Carroll, reaffirming that users can legally object to data use for direct marketing. An ICO spokesperson urged companies to respect opt-out requests, adding, “We’ll continue holding Meta accountable.”
[IMAGE: A smartphone displaying Facebook and Instagram apps with “No Ads” overlay.]
A Privacy Wake-Up Call
O’Carroll hailed the settlement as a “victory for privacy,” criticizing surveillance advertising: “We didn’t sign up to be tracked for decades just to stay connected.” Her case highlights growing global resistance to invasive data practices.
What’s Next?
While Meta’s subscription plan remains speculative, the case sets a precedent for user control over personal data. For now, UK consumers can demand ad opt-outs, but the era of free, ad-supported social media may be evolving.
Meta declined further comment, citing ongoing evaluations of UK service changes.
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