Facebook is trialling a system that will charge users that want to send private messages to people that aren't on their friends list.
Users selected to take part in the trial will be prompted to pay a fee, ranging from 71p to 11, in order to send a message to the intended recipient's main inbox.
If users refuse to stump up the cash, the message will be delivered to the recipient's other' folder.
A Facebook spokesperson told IT Pro the service uses an algorithm to set the price per message, based on how many followers that friend has and the number of messages they normally receive.
The Facebook representative also confirmed users selected to take part in the trial had not been notified beforehand and would only discover they had been when they reached a payment prompting screen.
In a statement, Facebook said: "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.
"We are testing a number of price points in the UK and other countries to establish the optimal fee that signals importance. Part of that test involves charging higher amounts for public figures, based on the number of followers they have.
"This is still a test and these prices are not set in stone," the statement concluded.
News of the trial comes six months after Facebook found itself in hot water over claims people's personal messages had been published to their timelines when the social network revamped its user interface.
However, Facebook claimed users had mistaken old-style, public wall-to-wall' messaging from the early days of the site for private missives.
-
AI layoffs could spark a new wave of offshoringNews Analysts expect a wave of rehiring next year in the wake of AI layoffs. That may sound like good news for workers, but it'll probably involve offshoring or outsourcing.
-
Hackers are using these malicious npm packages to target developers Windows, macOS, and Linux systemsNews Security experts have issued a warning to developers after ten malicious npm packages were found to deliver infostealer malware across Windows, Linux, and macOS systems.
-
Meta to pay $725 million in Cambridge Analytica lawsuit settlementNews The settlement closes the long-running lawsuit into how Facebook's owner, Meta, handled the Cambridge Analytica scandal
-
Meta's earnings are 'cause for concern' and 2023 looks even bleakerAnalysis Calls for investor faith in metaverse tech only emphasise the worries that its investment strategy won't pay off
-
Microsoft and Meta announce integration deal between Teams and WorkplaceNews Features from both business collaboration platforms will be available to users without having to switch apps
-
Facebook is shutting down its controversial facial recognition systemNews The move will see more than a billion facial templates removed from Facebook's records amid a push for more private applications of the technology
-
'Changing name to Meat': Industry reacts to Facebook's Meta rebrandNews The rebrand attempts to provide a clearer distinction between Facebook and its umbrella company
-
Facebook's Oversight Board demands more transparencyNews Board bashed the social media giant for its preferential treatment of certain high-profile accounts
-
Facebook claims AI managed to reduce hate speech by 50%News The social media platform has hit back at claims the tech it uses to fight hate speech is inadequate
-
Facebook to hire 10,000 workers across the EUNews The high-skilled jobs drive is a “vote of confidence” in the European tech industry
