Snapchat recently revealed a new plan to charge users for storing their photos and videos. This decision has upset many who have built vast archives over the years. Since its launch in 2016, the Memories feature has allowed users to save content that typically disappears after 24 hours.
Now, if your saved Memories exceed 5GB, you’ll need to pay to keep them. While Snap hasn’t shared exact costs for the UK, initial reports indicate that a 100GB storage plan will be around $1.99 (£1.48) per month. For those looking for 250GB, it will be bundled with Snapchat+ for $3.99 (£2.96).
The app’s parent company, Snap, claims that most users have less than 5GB of Memories, so this change won’t impact the majority. They suggest that paying for storage will help enhance the feature for everyone. However, many users are frustrated, feeling the shift from free to paid is harsh, especially for long-time users who may now face unexpected fees.
Social media reactions have been filled with disappointment and anger. Users are expressing their feelings on platforms like TikTok, citing that they’ve relied on Snap’s free storage for many years. Forcing them to choose between paying or losing access to cherished memories feels unfair to them.
Drew Benvie, a social media consultant, suggests that as digital storage becomes more critical, charging for it is likely to become a common practice across all platforms. “In an era where we post less but save more, it’s an evolution,” he explains.
As of last April, Snapchat was enjoying 900 million monthly active users, although competitors like Instagram and TikTok boast upwards of a billion. This latest move might drive some users away, especially those feeling cornered by sudden costs. Yet, with digital storage becoming a necessity, the question remains: Is this just the start of a bigger trend in social media charging practices?
For more details on Snap’s changes, visit their [official announcement](https://newsroom.snap.com/snap-memory-storage).
