Google appears set to reduce free storage for new accounts from 15GB to 5GB, according to recent reports. The company quietly updated its support page wording from "15GB free" to "up to 15GB," suggesting a policy shift that could impact new users who don't link a phone number during signup.

A Reddit user reported encountering only 5GB of free storage when creating a new Google account unless they connected a phone number to unlock the full 15GB. The company reportedly requires phone verification to ensure the storage bonus applies only once per person, potentially combating bot accounts and storage abuse.

This change comes as Google recently increased storage for paying Google AI Pro users to 5TB while tightening restrictions on free storage. The move could push more users toward paid plans, though Android Central suggests it may also reflect efforts to address storage abuse issues in an era where bot accounts remain a persistent challenge.