Google Free Storage Cut: From 15GB to 5GB

Google has adjusted its free storage policy, reducing the default allocation to 5GB for accounts that do not fulfill specific verification criteria.

The company previously provided a standard 15GB of free cloud storage, which is shared across Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos. Under the new guidelines, the full 15GB limit is no longer automatically granted to all users. Instead, the storage capacity is now contingent upon the provision of a personal datum, specifically a phone number, to verify the account.

Users who do not complete this verification process are limited to a default of 5GB. This shift transforms the 15GB threshold from a standard feature of the Google ecosystem into a conditional benefit tied to the submission of personal identification data.

The change has sparked a debate regarding the balance between account security and user privacy. By requiring a phone number to unlock the higher storage tier, the company is linking a primary utility of its free services to the collection of additional user information.

The policy update affects how storage is managed for Gmail and other integrated Google services, placing a tighter restriction on users who prefer to maintain their accounts without linking a mobile device.

The implementation of this requirement effectively establishes a new tier of access for free accounts, where storage capacity is determined by the level of personal data a user is willing to share with the company.