HIGHLIGHTS

Starting February 19, Facebook will begin automatically deleting live broadcast recordings older than 30 days.

Users must either download their videos before this date or share them as 90-second Reels.

There is an option to extend the deletion deadline if needed.

Facebook, a platform under the Meta umbrella, is a widely used social media site. For users who generate significant amounts of content, new changes to Facebook’s policies warrant attention. Beginning February 19, the platform will initiate the automatic deletion of live broadcast recordings that age beyond 30 days. These recordings will not be retained on the site unless users specifically take steps to save them. To prevent the permanent loss of their videos, users are encouraged to download their recordings or share them as shorter 90-second Reels.

According to Meta, the reason for this policy shift is rooted in user interactions; the majority of live video views and engagement occur within the initial weeks after broadcasting. To enhance user experience and optimize storage, Facebook is revising its video retention policies in alignment with broader industry standards moving forward.

What happens to videos that are older than 30 days?

As the new policy takes effect, users with live videos exceeding the 30-day threshold will see these videos gradually removed over the ensuing months. Prior to the deletion, users will be informed through notifications. Both email and app notifications will alert users to the impending deletion, providing a 90-day period to safeguard their content.

Is it possible to extend the deletion deadline?

Yes, users have the ability to extend the deletion timeline if they wish. Facebook has introduced a “postpone request” feature that allows users to defer the deletion of their videos for an additional six months. To utilize this option, users simply need to navigate to the deletion notification, select “Learn More,” and then choose the “Postpone” option.

How can you securely save your live videos?

If you’re concerned about losing your live recordings, follow these steps to ensure they are saved:

• Access your Activity Log and look for “Your live videos.”
• Navigate to either the Videos or Live tab on your profile, Page, or within the Meta Business Suite.
• Once you’ve located the videos you wish to save, you can transfer them directly to cloud storage solutions like Dropbox or Google Drive.

For avid content creators who depend on live videos, it’s crucial to back up your recordings in order to avoid permanent deletion.