Facebook's Paid Messaging System Hits the UK
Would you pay money to be able to message a stranger?
Back in January, Facebook started testing out a new 'pay-for-messaging' scheme. The program set out different price points and charged Facebook users in exchange for the ability to message people they didn't know. You could, for example, send a message to Mark Zuckerberg. Now, Facebook is bringing this program to the United Kingdom.
Facebook today confirmed to the Telegraph that the system was being run on a trial basis in the UK as well as other countries, though the social network didn't provide much in the way of details when it came to price points or the other countries in question.
"We are testing a number of price points in the UK and other countries to establish the optimal fee that signals importance," the company is quoted as saying in a statement.
Facebook explained to the Telegraph that the system was designed to allow users to message folks outside of their friends list while also protecting the other party from spam. Indeed, if you are thinking of forking over money to message someone, it's worth noting that the message you send will automatically be sent to their 'other' mailbox as opposed to their regular inbox.
While the scheme is still very much in the testing stage, it'll be interesting to see how folks react to this kind of system. Facebook users tend to be vocal about changes to privacy settings or even more mundane features like profiles or the news feed. It's not yet clear if users will have the ability to block these paid messages but we imagine an 'opt out' switch might appease those uncomfortable with the idea.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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robochump Messaging someone you dont know, not always the case FB since I have friends not yet added!!! Just FB finding ways to make money to appease to DOW Gods!Reply -
nolarrow Yeah this will work...Reply
Since you have billions of people connected to the site why not use your brain zuckerberg and do an ebay / craigslist / paypal rip-off. Let people sell their shit on fb either locally or via an auction house and let people pay with face bucks.
Later on your facebook phone can be used to spend your hard earned face bucks at your local starbucks etc. etc.
Nahhhhhhhhh, lets just charge people to send messages. -
anti-painkilla You could give the people being stalked a cut of the money FB gets so they feel slightly better about being constantly harassed.Reply -
tiret in other news - stalkers, serial rapists and pedophiles took to the street in celebration.Reply -
velocityg4 I'm guessing about 99% will be creepy guys messaging attractive women whom want them to leave them alone. Women whom have every privacy setting enabled because they are tired of random creepy guys trying to message them and viewing their photos.Reply
The other 1% will be people with legitimate reasons.