California (Web Desk): Snapchat users have received disappointing news as the company announced that it will now charge users for storing old photos and videos. According to Snapchat, over one trillion photos and videos have been saved through its ‘Memories’ feature so far.
Under the new policy, users with data usage under 5GB will continue to enjoy free storage. However, users whose data exceeds 5GB will be required to pay a monthly fee to continue storing their memories. This move aims to maintain the app’s storage infrastructure and improve service quality.
Initial plans suggest a monthly fee of approximately 2.99 Australian dollars for 100GB of storage. For users requiring more storage, premium packages like Snapchat+ and Snapchat Platinum will offer options ranging from 250GB to 5TB.
Snapchat has provided a 12-month grace period for users exceeding 5GB to either upgrade their storage plan or delete some data. The new system will be rolled out globally in phases, with trials already underway in the UK. However, the company has not yet disclosed pricing details for other countries.
The announcement has sparked a strong backlash on social media, with many users threatening to abandon the platform if forced to pay for storage. Critics have described the move as ‘greedy’ and likened it to putting a price on their cherished memories.