Google Could Limit New Gmail Accounts to Only 5GB of Free Storage

A report suggests that Google's 15GB free tier is at risk as the company tests a lower 5GB cap for new sign-ups.

Google may cut the free storage for new Gmail accounts from 15GB to 5GB, according to a report from Android Authority. Those who want a storage upgrade from those 5GB accounts would need to provide a phone number to Google to unlock the extra gigabytes.

A Google representative confirmed that it's trying out new account options.

"We're testing a new storage policy for new accounts created in select regions that 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," the representative said in a statement to CNET.

It ...