Snapchat charge users storing memories as the app prepares to introduce new fees for its popular archive feature. Since 2016, Snapchat’s Memories has allowed people to save photos and videos beyond the 24-hour limit. However, under the new plan, anyone with more than five gigabytes of saved content will need to pay to keep their files available.
The company confirmed that the change will be rolled out globally in stages, although prices will vary by region. For now, Snap has revealed that an initial 100GB plan will cost $1.99 per month, with larger storage options offered under Snapchat+ and Snapchat Premium. Users with extensive archives will also be given a 12-month temporary storage window to back up or download their content.
The announcement has not gone down well with many users. On social media, people accused the company of being greedy and unfair, particularly those who had been saving posts for years under what was previously unlimited storage. Snap responded by saying the update would allow further investment in Memories, adding that while the shift from free to paid service is not easy, it would ultimately benefit users.
Industry experts argue that the move is part of a larger trend across digital platforms. Drew Benvie, founder of consultancy Battenhall, described the change as inevitable. In his view, social networks are posting less fresh content but storing more media, and platforms will eventually charge to sustain the cost of this demand.
Despite the criticism, Snap insists that most users will remain unaffected since their stored data is below the five-gigabyte threshold. Nevertheless, for the millions who enjoy looking back at their saved snaps, the introduction of fees marks a significant turning point in how social media platforms handle personal digital memories.
