Snapchat has announced it will begin charging users who exceed 5GB of saved content in its Memories feature, a move that has triggered widespread criticism from users.
The company confirmed that people with more than 5GB of saved photos and videos will be required to pay for additional storage. Users who surpass the free limit will be prompted to upgrade to a 100GB plan at $1.99 (£1.48) per month or subscribe to Snapchat+ at $3.99 (£2.96) for 250GB.
Snap says the change will roll out gradually worldwide. A spokesperson told *TechCrunch* the move will not affect “the vast majority of Snapchatters,” noting that most have less than 5GB stored. The company will also offer 12 months of temporary storage for those over the limit and allow users to download their archives.
Still, many users have reacted angrily on social media, accusing the app of being “greedy” and “unfair.” Some long-time Snapchatters say they now face high costs to keep years of saved posts.
Snap defended the decision in a blog post, saying, “These changes will allow us to continue to invest in making Memories better for our entire community.” It acknowledged that moving from a free service to a paid one was “never easy,” but argued the value would justify the cost.
Since its launch in 2016, Snapchat Memories has allowed users to save photos and videos originally posted for 24 hours or less. More than one trillion Memories have been stored since the feature’s introduction.
Social media expert Drew Benvie, CEO of consultancy Battenhall, said the move reflects a broader shift. “The road to paying for storage on social media is inevitable. In an era where we post less but save more, this is the natural evolution,” he told *BBC News*.
Snapchat currently boasts over 900 million monthly active users worldwide, though it still trails rivals Instagram and TikTok, which each have billions.
SOURCE: BBC
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