Meta updates policy on Facebook live videos, removing them after 30 days

Meta announced has changed its policy on the storage of videos livestreamed on Facebook.

Beginning Wednesday, February 19, new live broadcast videos on Facebook pages and profiles will be stored for only 30 days before being automatically removed from the platform.

“Because most live video views occur within the first few weeks of broadcasting, we’re updating how long live videos can be stored on Facebook,” Meta said.

“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,” it added.

Previously, Facebook permanently stored livestreamed videos.

Meanwhile, existing live videos prior to the policy's implementation will not be deleted immediately but will be taken down gradually over the next few months, according to Meta.

Users will be notified and given 90 days to download and transfer old live videos before they are deleted from the platform.

Here’s a step-by-step guide provided by Meta on how to save live videos on Facebook:

• On a profile or on a Page on your device, find the Videos tab. On a page, if you’re on the web, find the Live tab. You may need to click More to see the Live tab.

• Choose the video you want to download.

• Open the full-screen view, then click […] and choose “Download video.”

• You can also download one or more live videos from your page or profile’s Activity Log.

• To download your live videos, select “Your live videos,” then choose a date range to see videos available to download.
  
  

• On your computer or device, tap the notification to enter into the download flow.

• Tap “Download live videos.”

• Decide the location (computer or device) to download to and the date range for the live videos.

• Tap “Create File.”
  
  

• On your computer or device, tap the notification to enter into the download flow.

• Tap “Transfer live videos.”

• Tap “Where” to select the transfer destination.

• Choose your linked cloud storage provider (ex: Dropbox or Google Drive).

• Tap “Save.”
  
  

Meta said users who only want to save a portion of their live video content can do so by converting it into reels, which have a time limit of 90 seconds.

In addition, users who are still deciding how to preserve their Facebook live video content will also have the option to defer deletion for an additional six months. To avail this option, follow these steps:

• On your computer or device, tap the notification to enter into the download flow.

• Tap “Learn More.”

• Tap “postpone the deletion.”

• Tap “Postpone” to confirm.