Google has quietly reduced the default free cloud storage for new accounts from 15GB to 5GB shared across Gmail, Drive, and Photos. The missing 10GB is unlocked only after users link a phone number during setup, a requirement that reportedly wasn’t part of signup earlier this year. Google also revised its help documentation to say “up to 15GB” rather than “15GB,” signaling a conditional offer. Existing users are unaffected.
India’s smartphone and social media boom is creating a “data obesity” crisis as users’ photos, videos and AI-generated files balloon faster than device storage. Experts warn that people are struggling to manage ever-growing libraries. Counterpoint estimates cloud storage paying users could jump to as high as 100 million by 2030 from roughly 10–15 million today.
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Snap is rolling out paid storage plans for its Memories feature, which saves snaps and videos. Free users receive 5GB, while Snapchat+ offers 250GB and Snapchat Platinum provides 5TB. If Memories exceed the free limit, users get 12 months of temporary storage to download content before deciding whether to upgrade.
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