Creating a New Gmail Account Is About to Get Expensive! Google Has Changed a Major Rule Regarding the Free 15GB Storage..
Google has implemented a major change for users creating new Gmail accounts. Now, unlike before, every new Google account will no longer automatically receive 15GB of free storage right from the start. While implementing this new policy, the company stated that users must verify their phone numbers to access the full 15GB of storage. Without phone number verification, a new account will be allotted only 5GB of storage. This change applies to all three services: Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. The company asserts that this measure will help curb the creation of fake accounts and prevent the misuse of storage resources. However, this decision has also sparked a new debate regarding user privacy and convenience.
**Now, only 5GB of storage will be available without a phone number**
Until now, users creating a new Google account would immediately receive a total of 15GB of free cloud storage shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. However, the company has now revised its storage policy. Google has notified users that new accounts will initially be granted only 5GB of storage. The full 15GB of free storage will be unlocked only if the user verifies their phone number. The company has also updated the wording on its support page. Previously, it stated that every Google account receives 15GB of storage at no cost; this has now been changed to read "up to 15GB." This implies that the full storage allocation will no longer be automatically granted to everyone.
**Why Google took this major decision**
According to reports, Google is implementing this change to combat fake accounts and bots. The company believes that numerous individuals and automated systems repeatedly create new accounts to exploit the free storage allowance. Through phone number verification, Google aims to ensure that each individual receives only a limited amount of free storage. Furthermore, reports suggest that the rising costs of storage hardware and memory may also be a contributing factor to this decision. With the global demand for cloud storage surging rapidly, the infrastructural pressure on companies is steadily increasing. Consequently, Google now seeks to manage its free storage system in a more controlled and regulated manner. Questions Raised Over User Privacy and Convenience
This new Google policy has also heightened privacy concerns among users. Many individuals are reluctant to share their phone numbers solely for the purpose of using email services. Such users may now have to make do with reduced storage capacity.
On the other hand, some view this as a positive step from a security perspective, as it could help reduce the number of fraudulent accounts. Currently, this change applies to new accounts, and no impact has been reported regarding existing accounts. However, Google may further tighten this policy in the future. Consequently, users creating new Gmail accounts will now need to sign up with greater caution and awareness than before.
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