Flickr has extended the deadline for when it will begin deleting photos from users’ free accounts that exceed the new 1000-image limit.
Flickr’s owner SmugMug has set a new deadline of 12 March, it says, in order to give users more time to review their options and manage any complications with downloading their files.
In a statement to the press, Flickr said:
Since announcing these updates on November 1, Flickr’s goal has been to ensure that members have ample time to make an informed decision as to how they can best continue to protect and enjoy their photos on Flickr. Our foremost priority is to be certain that every Flickr member is aware that photographs may be at risk for deletion if they are stored in a Flickr Free account that has more than 1000 photos. We have sent hundreds of millions of emails announcing the updates, notified members at flickr.com and through our mobile apps, posted updates to the Flickr blog and Help Forum, and communicated through countless media outlets; I’m hopeful your article will further help in ensuring this information is widely distributed.
Based on feedback from our members and complications some members experienced when downloading photos yesterday, we’ve extended our deletion eligibility deadline until March 12, 2019.
Whether our members choose to upgrade to a Pro account or to take advantage of the simple tools we provide to download their content, we hope this extension gives them the time to make the best decision on how they would like to protect and enjoy their photos.
Flickr’s original deadline was 5 February, when it was due to begin removing the most recent images from free accounts over the 1000 limit. SmugMug has said the move should only affect 3% of Flickr users.