Facebook Live Videos Deleted: 30-Day Storage Limit

Facebook Announces Changes to Live Video Storage Duration

Facebook recently announced a policy shift regarding the storage of live videos. Effective Wednesday, live broadcasts will now be automatically deleted after 30 days on the platform.

Previous Storage Policy

Previously, live videos remained stored indefinitely. This change represents a significant departure from the prior practice of permanent archiving.

Implementation and User Notification

The update will result in the removal of all live videos currently exceeding 30 days in age. Users will be notified before deletion and granted a 90-day window to manage their existing live content.

Options for Existing Live Videos

During the 90-day period, users have several options:

• Download videos to a personal device.
• Transfer videos to cloud storage.
• Convert video segments into new Reels.

Facebook’s Rationale

According to a statement published on their blog, Facebook indicates that “these changes will align our storage policies with industry standards and help ensure we are providing the most up-to-date live video experiences for everyone on Facebook.”

Further elaboration on the decision was not provided, despite inquiries from TechCrunch.

Comparison to Competitor Policies

The new 30-day retention period contrasts with policies of competing platforms. Twitch stores past broadcasts for 60 days for Partners, Affiliates, and Prime members, and 14 days for regular streamers.

YouTube, another prominent platform for live content, indefinitely stores broadcasts by converting them into standard videos, unless a user opts out of archiving.

Deferring Deletion

Users requiring additional time to download their videos can postpone deletion for up to six months. After this extension, videos will be permanently removed and inaccessible.

New Download Tools

To facilitate the transition, Facebook is introducing new tools designed to assist users in preserving their live video content.

Downloading and Transferring Videos

Users can download multiple videos simultaneously by selecting the “Download live videos” option within the notification. Alternatively, they can choose “Transfer live videos” and link to a cloud storage provider like Dropbox or Google Drive.

Promoting Reels

Facebook is leveraging this change to encourage the use of Reels, offering users the opportunity to repurpose highlights from their live videos into this short-form video format.