BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The EU privacy watchdog is set to issue an opinion saying Meta Platforms ( META ) can't charge users a fee to ensure their privacy, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday.

Meta's no-ads subscription service launched in Europe in November, which requires users to pay a fee to ensure their privacy, has triggered criticism from privacy activists and consumer groups.

The European Data Protection Board (EDPB), which will publish its opinion shortly, declined to comment.

Politico was the first to report on the EDPB's opinion.