Meta is changing how Live videos are stored on Facebook, marking a major shift in how the platform manages user-generated content.Â
Starting Wednesday, new live broadcasts can be replayed, downloaded or shared from Facebook pages or profiles for only 30 days before they are removed. Previously, they were stored indefinitely.
The platform will alert users via email or within the app before a video is deleted, allowing users to download or transfer their content for up to 90 days. Meta has also introduced new tools to make the transition a bit easier, including the ability to convert videos into Reels or transfer them to cloud storage.
The company said the change reflects how most live video engagement happens within the first few weeks and is intended to enhance privacy. "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," the company said in a blog post.
Creators can preserve portions of their live videos beyond the 30-day limit by clipping key moments and sharing them as Reels. The company is also offering an option to extend the storage period for older videos by six months.
According to Matt Navarra, social media consultant and author of Geekout Newsletter, it's a clear privacy play to minimize potential risks associated with prolonged storage. "From a privacy standpoint, reducing the retention period of live videos can be seen as a positive development because it's not holding onto user data longer than necessary," he said.
At the same time, however, he said the effort is also about cost cutting, as storing large volumes of data can get extremely expensive. "It's hard to ignore the potential financial benefits for Facebook to reduce storage costs given the billions they are sinking into AI and the Metaverse – every penny, dollar and pound counts," Navarra added.Â
However, it does require users to manage their content by downloading or transferring their videos within 30 days to avoid losing it. This will also force people to be more deliberate with the content they choose to keep, said Navarra, leading to "a more curated, intentional decision-making process."
But it could also deter some creators, as other platforms including YouTube and Twitch offer ways to preserve content for longer periods. Navarra said this could drive creators to other platforms, adding, "But I'm sure this is a calculated risk." Pushing people to create reels from old live videos could also increase engagement elsewhere.
The changes also highlight the power dynamics between creators and platforms and a reminder that users make content on platforms they don't own. "Facebook giveth and Facebook taketh, and creators are at the mercy of their policies," Navarra said.