Facebook Announce On Tuesday, live videos can now be stored on social networks for only 30 days and then deleted. Previously, these videos were stored indefinitely. Changes take effect on Wednesday.
As part of this change, all live videos currently over 30 days will be removed from the platform. Before deleting the video, users will be notified and get 90 days to choose how to handle their old live content. Users can choose to download the video to their device, transfer it to cloud storage, or convert content to new reels.
“These changes will align our storage policies with industry standards and help ensure we provide the latest live video experience for everyone on Facebook,” Facebook noted in a blog post. There is no further explanation. (TechCrunch reached out to comment but did not reply immediately.)
Twitch is one of Facebook Live’s biggest competitors, storing 60 days of broadcasts for Twitch Partners, Affiliates and Prime Streamers. For regular streaming, the platform stores past live videos for 14 days. YouTube is another popular home of live videos that can play them indefinitely by converting them into regular videos (unless the user chooses to disable archives).
Facebook notes that if users need more time to download their old live videos, they can choose to postpone the deletion for six months. If they don’t have a choice after that, then their old live videos will be deleted and they won’t be able to access them.
The social network is launching new download tools to help users retain their old live videos.
Users can download old live videos by selecting the “Download Live Video” option when they receive notifications about upcoming deletion. Or they can click on the “Transfer Live Video” option and select the cloud storage provider they linked, such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
Facebook is using changes as a way to push reels further, as it points out that users can choose to convert some of their favorite moments from live video to reels so they can be placed on the page.
