New Facebook app pays people to take part in surveys

The app could blunt criticism thatFacebookkeeps to itself profits made by taking advantage of data shared on the social network.

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"We believe the best way to make products better is to get insights directly from people who use them," Naveh said in an online post.

Points can be accumulated to earn payments, which will be sent to people via PayPal.

People who set up accounts in the Viewpoints app will be invited to take part in programs, the first a well-being survey intended to gather insights that can be used to curb negative effects of social media and enhance its benefits, according to Naveh.

Personal information such as name, age, gender, and country of residence will be gathered while setting up Viewpoints accounts, which are only open to people 18 years of age or older.

"We won't sell your information from this app to third parties," Naveh said.

"We also won't publicly share yourFacebookViewpoints activity onFacebookor on other accounts you've linked without your permission."

Viewpoints are only available to USFacebookmembers, but the California-based internet giant planned to expand it to more countries next year.