SYDNEY: Facebook and Instagram began a week-long rollout of their first paid verification service on Friday, testing users’ willingness to pay for social media features that until now have been free.
Facing a drop in advertising revenues, parent company Meta is piloting a subscription in Australia and New Zealand before it appears in larger markets. The service will cost US$11.99 on the web and $14.99 on the iOS and Android mobile platforms.
From Friday, subscribers Down Under who provide government-issued IDs can start applying for a verified badge, offering protection against…
