Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is set to offer users in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland more choices about their data usage as part of its compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The DMA, slated to take effect in March 2024, enforces fairer dealings among a handful of the world’s most powerful tech companies.

One of the key changes, announced by Meta on Monday, January 22, will see users receiving notifications over the coming weeks informing them of the various choices they can make in managing their data across Meta products.

The options presented aim to give users greater agency in deciding how their information is utilised by Facebook and Instagram.

Users who have previously linked their Instagram and Facebook accounts will now have the option to either continue connecting them through Meta’s Accounts Center, or manage the two accounts separately. This move offers a nuanced approach to privacy and data sharing, aligning with the DMA’s emphasis on user choice.

Facebook Messenger users will be able to continue using it with their Facebook account or create a standalone Messenger account for a more detached experience.

Similarly, people engaged in Facebook Marketplace can now choose between an experience utilising their Facebook information or one without. The same flexibility applies to Facebook Gaming, where players can decide whether to incorporate their Facebook data for features like multiplayer games and in-game purchases.

Meta had previously given users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland the option to use Facebook and Instagram for free with ads or to subscribe and eliminate ads.