Facebook has begun started removing ‘deleted’ photos from its servers, after users complained that they were still accessible online.
Until now it was possible to view old images via direct URLs, even if thed’d been deleted by the user for being embarrassing or upsetting.
Facebook now says that its new photo storage system means that all deleted images will be removed within 30 days – and probably much sooner.
The new policy is possible thanks to an upgrade to Facebook’s content delivery network (CDN), the social network said.
“As a result of work on our policies and infrastructure, we have instituted a ‘max-age’ of 30 days for our CDN links,” Facebook spokesperson Frederic Wolens told CNET in a statement.
“However, in some cases the content will expire on the CDN much more quickly, based on a number of factors.”