A new update to Facebook live streams which went live today (February 19) means users will need to download the videos - or risk losing them forever. From today, all live streams will be deleted permanently after just 30 days. All previous live videos will also be deleted after 30 days - so users should save them now if they want to keep them. Facebook owner Meta says the move is to “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.”.
Facebook will also send emails and alerts through app notifications to prompt saving before your archive is completely deleted, giving users a chance to download their videos. You can download videos either individually or in bulk through the tool. Facebook is also providing the option to turn live videos into Reels, which will remain on the platform. Meta said: "If you would like to keep your favourite moments from your live videos on your page for more than 30 days, you can clip shorter moments from your live video and share them as reels on Facebook, giving them a home on your profile page for friends, family and community to enjoy.".
However, if you require more time to save your videos or make a decision, Facebook also offers a postpone option. Meta said: "If you need additional time to download your old live videos, we are providing the option to defer deletion for an additional six months. After that period, if you do not make a choice, your old live videos will be removed and will no longer be available.".
For a step-by-step on how to download videos or what to do next, visit Meta's website here. Last month Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced some changes. He said: "We're gonna get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms. More specifically, here's what we're going to do. First, we're going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes similar to X, starting in the US.".
Zuckerberg claimed fact-checkers introduced amid Trump's 2016 election have become "too politically biased" and have destroyed "more trust than they've created," particularly in the United States. He added: "The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards, once again, prioritising speech. So we're gonna get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies and restoring free expression on our platforms.".
