Facebook is no fan of Apple's iOS 14 privacy updates that asks users for their permission before allowing tracking within individual apps. In response, the social network has started suggesting that without tracking, Facebook and Instagram wouldn't be free services.
As The Verge reports, the references to a "free of charge" service were first spotted by technology researcher Arshkan Soltani who tweeted images of Facebook and Instagram iOS 14.5 information pop-ups (Facebook calls them "educational screens"), which you can see below. In both examples, Facebook suggests that by allowing the company permission to track their data, users are helping to keep the services "free of charge."
Although Facebook isn't claiming Facebook and Instagram would become services you need to pay for if tracking isn't allowed, the statement "Help keep Facebook free of charge" can certainly be interpreted that way.
Facebook has made it clear that the privacy enhancements included in iOS 14.5 "may render Audience Network so ineffective on iOS 14 that it may not make sense to offer it on iOS 14." That's because if a user doesn't give the social network permission to track, the unique IDFA number used by advertisers and data collection advertisers is off limits. Facebook can still track a user and serve targeted advertising, but no information can be shared with other companies.