Photo Credit: TikTok
TikTok is rolling out an ad-free subscription plan in the UK for users 18 and over for £3.99 a month. Users who subscribe won’t see ads on the platform, and their data won’t be used for advertising purposes.
In the coming months, TikTok will be introducing an ad-free subscription plan in the UK for £3.99 ($5.44) a month, available to users 18 and over. Those who sign up for a subscription won’t see ads on the platform, and TikTok also won’t use their data for advertising purposes.
As TechCrunch points out, the move was undoubtedly a response to the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which prohibits companies from collecting users’ personal data for advertising purposes without their explicit consent.
TikTok first started testing an ad-free plan in 2023, but it’s unknown whether the launch in the UK will lead to a broader launch in other territories. It’s also unclear whether such an option will become available in the United States, where TikTok’s operations are in the hands of a U.S.-based group of investors in response to national data safety concerns.
“Choice for our community and growth for UK businesses go hand in hand on TikTok. Advertising on our platform is already helping thousands of British businesses reach new customers, increase sales and create jobs, while our new ad-free option gives people greater control over their experience,” said Kris Boger, TikTok’s UK Managing Director. “Together, this ensures we continue to deliver real economic impact while giving our community the flexibility to engage with TikTok in the way that suits them.”
In addition to giving TikTok users “more choice,” the company says the changes are focused on “how we can continue to help UK businesses—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—grow using our platform.” TikTok says that advertising investments on the platform help UK SMEs generate hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue by reaching “the right audiences at the right time, turning digital engagement into real-world growth,” and adding to overall UK GDP.
