While no it cant force it for free and they are free to have an Ad based version the cookies could be considered a violation of the ePrivacy regulation:
Allow users to access your service even if they refuse to allow the use of certain cookies
Make it as easy for users to withdraw their consent as it was for them to give their consent in the first place.
Although the EU has been pretty lax in terms of enforcing a lot of these regulations
No, the EU does not force entities to provide Internet services for free.
You have the choice. Pay with your data or your money. I hate it too but what can you do?
While no it cant force it for free and they are free to have an Ad based version the cookies could be considered a violation of the ePrivacy regulation:
Allow users to access your service even if they refuse to allow the use of certain cookies
Make it as easy for users to withdraw their consent as it was for them to give their consent in the first place.
Although the EU has been pretty lax in terms of enforcing a lot of these regulations
Why are you getting downvoted? You are right.
Because no, they are not.
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/direct-marketing-and-privacy-and-electronic-communications/guide-to-pecr/guidance-on-the-use-of-cookies-and-similar-technologies/how-do-we-comply-with-the-cookie-rules/#comply14
This is a newspaper, not an ISP.
But from what I understand of the law, what you are saying is true