Facebook has announced a new policy that will automatically delete live videos after 30 days, ending the platform’s previous practice of storing them indefinitely.
The change, set to take effect on February 19, aims to reduce server and storage costs. However, the first wave of deletions will not occur immediately. According to Meta, users will receive notifications via email and in-app alerts before their archived live videos are removed. Once notified, they will have a 90-day window to download or transfer their content.
“Most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting,” Meta stated, justifying the move to clear out older, less-watched content.
To help users retain their videos, Facebook is rolling out tools that allow them to download footage to their devices or transfer it to cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive and Dropbox. Additionally, users can request an extension of up to six months before their videos are permanently deleted.
For those who fail to act within the allotted time, the videos will be erased with no possibility of recovery. Meta encourages users to take advantage of the new download and transfer options to secure their content before automatic deletions begin rolling out in the coming months.
