Snapchat is drawing sharp criticism after announcing it will begin charging users for storing photos and videos saved in its Memories feature once they exceed a 5 GB limit. The company says it will grant affected users a 12-month grace period to either subscribe to paid storage plans or export their archives before content may be deleted.
Under the new model, introductory plans include 100 GB of storage at about $1.99/month, or a higher tier such as 5 TB for users who require far more space—Snap says this change is necessary to continue supporting and investing in the Memories service, especially given that users have stored more than one trillion items so far.
The backlash from users has been swift and intense. Many longtime Snapchatters have voiced frustration, accusing the company of being “greedy” or of reneging on expectations of free storage. Some have expressed horror at the idea of losing years’ worth of personal memories unless they pay. One user lamented, “Half of my life is on this app, and now they expect us to pay.” Others warn they may abandon the app rather than subscribe to what was once a free feature.
Snap acknowledges the change won’t affect most users, claiming the majority already store less than 5 GB and thus won’t incur extra costs. But for those impacted, the decision poses a stark trade-off: pay or lose data. The coming months may reveal how many users accept the paid model, how many export their memories, and whether Snap will adjust pricing or policy in response to the outcry.
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