Google is set to roll out a controversial change for new Gmail account users.
The company is cutting free cloud storage for new Gmail accounts from 15GB to 5GB.
However, to unlock 15GB of free storage, users must verify their phone numbers with their accounts.
The new update is currently being tested in limited regions, including several African countries.
New users who do not link their phone numbers will only be eligible for 5GB of free storage shared between Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos.
This policy has received immediate backlash. According to industry analysts, the reason behind this measure is twofold: first, to avoid spam by assigning unique phone numbers to each user; Secondly, encourage more users to subscribe to Google One paid subscription plans.
Since 15 GB of storage is already difficult for some users, 5 GB will be too little.
How to link your phone number to your Gmail account?
If you are using a computer, open a browser and go to your Google account. Click “personal information” in the left menu, scroll down to “contact information” and click “phone.” Select “add recovery phone”. Enter the phone number and check the code received by SMS.
To pair via Android/iPhone, open your device’s “settings app.” Tap “Google” or “Manage your Google Account.” At the top, select “Personal information.” Scroll to “contact information” and tap “Phone.” Enter your “password” to confirm and type “verification code” to confirm your phone number.
