Snapchat Sparks Backlash As It Moves To Charge Users For Old  Photo, Video Storage

Snapchat users face tough choice as app begins charging for Memories storage, sparking backlash over lost archives.

Snapchat, one of the world’s most popular social media apps, has ignited backlash among its users after announcing it will begin charging for the storage of photos and videos saved in its Memories feature. The move marks a significant change for the platform, which has until now allowed unlimited storage of Memories since the feature was introduced in 2016.

Under the new policy, Snapchat users who have saved more than 5GB of content in Memories will have to pay to maintain access to their archives. Those who exceed the limit will be prompted to upgrade to a subscription plan, starting at $1.99 (£1.48) per month for 100GB of storage, or $3.99 (£2.96) for 250GB as part of the premium Snapchat+ service. The change is being rolled out gradually worldwide, though Snap, the app’s parent company, has not disclosed exact pricing for UK users.

In a blog post announcing the change, Snap acknowledged the frustration it may cause:
“We know it’s never easy to transition from receiving a service for free to paying for it,” the company said. “But these changes will allow us to continue investing in making Memories better for our entire community.”

The company added that more than one trillion Memories have been saved globally since the feature launched nearly a decade ago, highlighting its popularity among users.

To soften the impact, Snapchat said that those exceeding the 5GB cap will be granted 12 months of temporary storage. During this period, they will be able to download their saved content to personal devices before deciding whether to subscribe to maintain access.

Despite the concession, many users reacted with anger across social media platforms, accusing Snap of betraying its community. Some branded the decision “greedy,” arguing that loyal users who had amassed years of memories under the assumption of free storage were now being unfairly penalised.

Posts circulated of messages from Snapchat warning users that they must pay to avoid losing their data. One user wrote, “I’ve got nearly a decade of my life in Memories. Now I either pay up or lose everything. It’s unfair.”

Another added, “They gave us free storage for years and now want to cash in. Typical corporate greed.”

Others admitted they were considering downloading their archives and abandoning the app altogether rather than paying for what had always been a free service.

Experts say the move, while unpopular, is not surprising. Drew Benvie, founder and chief executive of social media consultancy Battenhall, stated, that charging for storage is a natural evolution for social media companies.

“The road to paying for storage on social media is inevitable,” Benvie said. “In an era where people post less publicly but save more privately, this is an evolution of how platforms sustain themselves.”

Snap’s decision also highlights growing competition in the social media landscape. While Snapchat boasts around 900 million monthly active users, rivals like Instagram and TikTok have surpassed the billion-user mark. Analysts say Snap is under increasing pressure to generate new revenue streams as it battles larger competitors and shifting user habits.

The company has struggled in recent years to match the explosive growth of its competitors, while also facing challenges in advertising revenue due to global economic uncertainty. Subscription models such as Snapchat+ which offers additional features and now includes expanded storage have become a key part of Snap’s strategy to diversify income.

Industry analysts say that while the backlash is real, many users may eventually adapt, especially younger users who value the ability to preserve personal archives on the platform.

For now, the vast majority of Snapchatters whom Snap says store less than 5GB of Memories will not be affected. But for long-term users who have used Snapchat as a digital diary, the change could mean either paying recurring fees or facing the loss of years of personal content.

As one frustrated user posted, “They want us to pay to keep our memories. That’s not just data, that’s our lives.”

With the rollout already underway, Snapchat’s gamble could reshape how users engage with one of its most beloved features and perhaps redefine the cost of digital memory in the age of social media.