Facebook is trialling a system which charges users for sending messages to people outside their “friends” network, in order to cut down on spam.
A Facebook spokesperson confirmed to HumanIPO a trial is being conducted across a number of countries, testing a range of different pricing levels.
The idea behind the fee-paying system is to cut down on the use of Facebook to send random spam emails, by asking senders to pay a small fee.
“The system of paying to message non-friends in their Facebook inbox is designed to prevent spam, while acknowledging that sometimes you might want to hear from people outside your immediate social circle,” Facebook told HumanIPO.
Current trial pricing levels differ, with Facebook explaining users with a large number of subscribers may be tested at a higher cost level than those with no subscribers. Alternatively, those members who have already received fee-paying messages may also be included in a higher-level test pricing.
The pricing levels are not, however, linked to how famous a user is, contrary to other reports.
The trial is currently running in a number of countries, having been previously tested in the United States.
