Google Seems to Be Cutting Free Cloud Storage, Unless…

Google appears to be reducing the free cloud storage that new accounts get by default, with some new users now receiving only 5GB unless they add a phone number. Screenshots show that sign-ups in many regions now offer 5GB of free storage at first, down from the usual 15GB.

The sign-up interface prompts new users to add and verify a phone number to unlock the full 15GB at no cost. This could be a way to cut down on cloud storage costs associated with mass account creation... or it could be a way to incentivize users to share personal information they wouldn't have otherwise given up.

Pre-existing accounts continue to offer 15GB. So far, Google hasn't made any public statements about cutting new accounts down to 5GB of storage, which tells us this might be a test that will spread to other regions or sign-up methods in the ...