Google may be quietly testing a controversial Gmail change

Google is reportedly testing a new rule for fresh Gmail accounts that limits unverified users to 5GB of storage.

Users who verify a phone number may still get the full 15GB, suggesting an A/B test rather than a broad rollout.

The test appears to be affecting some users in Kenya and Nigeria, while Google’s support page still says new accounts get 15GB.

If expanded, the change could curb storage-based account abuse and weaken one of Gmail’s key free-tier advantages.