FACEBOOK IS BEGINNING a trial for a new system that will see users charged for private messaging celebrities, public figures, and non-’friends’.

Under the system, the social networking site may charge users between 85c to €10 for such messages, with a sliding scale of fees based on the recipient’s followers.

The proposed payments will prevent spamming, according to the company – although critics have said the system would fly in the face of the mantra that “Facebook is free will always be”.

We’d like to know what you think: would you pay to send private messages to celebrities, public figures or non-’friends’?

Poll Results:

No (3612)

I'm not sure (3146)

Yes (64)

Yes
No
I'm not sure

Read: Facebook testing system where users pay to contact celebrities: report

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Poll: Would you pay to send private messages on Facebook?

Poll Results:

Read: Facebook testing system where users pay to contact celebrities: report

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.