Google is piloting a policy that reduces the free storage allocation for newly created accounts from 15 GB to 5 GB unless the user supplies a telephone number. The trial is limited to selected regions and applies only to brand‑new accounts. The move is presented as a way to improve security and manage storage costs, but it raises privacy concerns and could influence how users choose email providers.
Regulatory action → What it requires → Compliance timeline
Regulatory action – Google announced a pilot that will limit the free Google Drive storage for newly created accounts to 5 GB unless the user provides a valid phone number. The policy is being tested in a handful of regions and affects only accounts opened after the start of the trial.
What it requires – Prospective users must:
- Enter a telephone number during the account‑creation flow. The number is used for two‑factor authentication and account recovery, as Google states.
- Accept the updated Terms of Service that reference the reduced storage tier for accounts without a verified phone number.
- Agree to a potential upgrade path if they need more than 5 GB, which may involve a paid Google One plan.
Accounts that are created without a phone number will automatically receive the reduced quota and will not be eligible for the standard 15 GB free tier unless the user later adds a verified number.
Compliance timeline – The test began in early May 2026 and is scheduled to run for a minimum of 90 days. Google has indicated that the trial could be extended or rolled out globally based on the results. Existing Google accounts retain their current storage allocation; the change does not retroactively affect users who already have 15 GB.
Why the change matters
The free storage limit of 15 GB has been a baseline for most consumer cloud services since Google Drive launched. Reducing that figure to 5 GB places Google in line with Apple’s free iCloud offering, while still exceeding the free tiers of Microsoft Outlook.com (15 GB) and Proton Mail (1 GB). The shift reflects two competing pressures:
- Security incentives – By tying a higher storage quota to a verified phone number, Google encourages users to enable two‑factor authentication, which reduces account hijacking risk.
- Cost management – As media files grow larger, the cost of providing unlimited free storage rises. Limiting the free tier helps control operational expenses.
Privacy considerations
The requirement to share a telephone number introduces a new data point that Google can potentially use for advertising, fraud detection, or account linkage. While Google’s spokesperson emphasized that the data is used solely for security and recovery, privacy‑focused observers have raised concerns about secondary uses.
If the policy becomes permanent, users who are uncomfortable sharing a phone number may look for alternatives that keep personal identifiers out of the sign‑up flow. Services such as Proton Mail or Tutanota already market themselves on minimal data collection.
Comparison with other providers
| Provider | Free storage | Phone verification required for free tier |
|---|---|---|
| Google (pilot) | 5 GB (or 15 GB with phone) | Yes (to get 15 GB) |
| Apple iCloud | 5 GB | No |
| Microsoft Outlook.com | 15 GB | No |
| Proton Mail | 1 GB | No |
The table shows that Google’s new model would not be the most restrictive, but it does add a friction point that competitors currently do not have.
What users can do now
- Add a verified phone number during account creation to retain the 15 GB quota.
- Monitor the pilot by checking Google’s official blog or the Google Drive Help Center for updates.
- Consider alternative email services if privacy or storage limits are a priority.
- Plan for future upgrades by reviewing Google One pricing, which starts at $1.99 per month for 100 GB.
Featured image: Google’s logo with a stylized cloud storage icon.
Outlook
While the test is still limited in scope, it signals a broader industry trend: free services are increasingly tied to personal data collection. Users should evaluate whether the convenience of a large free storage pool outweighs the privacy cost of providing a phone number. Organizations that manage employee accounts may need to update onboarding procedures to include phone verification steps if they wish to maintain the higher storage tier.
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