On Tuesday, Facebook announced a new policy under which live videos will only be kept on the platform for 30 days before they are permanently deleted. This is a shift from the previous policy of indefinite storage, and the new rule takes effect on Wednesday.
As part of this update, all live videos that exceed 30 days in age will be removed from Facebook. Users will be alerted prior to the deletion and will have a 90-day window to manage their outdated live content. They can opt to download the videos for local storage, transfer them to cloud services, or transform them into new reels.
In a blog post, Facebook mentioned that “these updates will bring our storage policies in line with industry standards and enhance the live video experience for everyone on Facebook.” No additional details were provided. (TechCrunch has reached out for further insight but has not received a response.)
Twitch, a key competitor to Facebook Live, retains past broadcasts for 60 days for Partners, Affiliates, and Prime streamers, while regular streamers have their past live content archived for just 14 days. In contrast, YouTube maintains live broadcasts indefinitely by converting them into regular videos, unless a user opts out of archiving.
Facebook has stated that users who require more time to download their old live videos can request a six-month extension before deletion. If no action is taken after this period, the videos will be removed and will no longer be accessible.
To facilitate the retention of old live videos, Facebook is introducing new download options.
Users will have the ability to download their live videos in bulk by clicking the “Download live videos” option included in the notification about the deletion. Alternatively, they can select the “Transfer live videos” option to choose their preferred cloud storage provider, such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
This policy change also serves as an incentive for users to create reels, as Facebook suggests they can convert memorable highlights from their live streams into reels to retain them on their profiles.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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