- Google is changing its storage policy for new Gmail accounts
- New accounts in some regions will only get 5GB of free storage space
- Adding a phone number will unlock the standard 15GB of room
For many years, Google has given users 15GB of free cloud storage space when they sign up for Gmail (which is actually shared across Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive) — but a change to that policy is now being trialled.
Google has confirmed to Android Authority that it is "testing" a new approach in "select regions" where new users only get 5GB initially. That then goes up to the full 15GB once the account owner adds a phone number to their details.
This is only for new accounts, only in certain parts of the world, and only a test (for now) — if you've already got a Google account, nothing is going to happen to your 15GB of free storage for Gmail and Google's other services.
The move will "help us continue to provide a high quality storage service to our users, while encouraging users to improve their account security and data recovery" says Google. It sounds as though Google wants to be better able to verify identities behind accounts, while also collecting more data on its users, of course.
Paying with your privacy
Gmail now gives 5gb free if you sign up without phone number from r/degoogle
Officially, Google doesn't require a phone number when you create a new account, though if you search the web you'll find it does sometimes insist on a number being registered. It's not clear why exactly, but the requirement may kick in if Google's systems suspect some kind of fraudulent or spam activity.
The new approach means adding a phone number isn't compulsory — but you'll only get a third of the free storage if you do. The change was originally reported by PiunikaWeb based on a Reddit thread from a user who hit the limitation.
Reactions on that thread are about as negative as you might expect: one commenter suggests Google has moved to "the 'bribery for your data' stage", while another says that "you're paying for your privacy" if you sign up with Gmail.
This comes against the backdrop of a wider age verification crackdown in tech, with an increasing number of apps and websites asking users to confirm they are who they say they are, ostensibly to boost user security and safely silo off adult content.
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