Google describes it as a regional test.

New Google accounts are now starting with 5GB of free storage. Linking a phone number unlocks the full allocation, but the support page quietly dropped its unconditional 15GB promise.

Google appears to be testing a new policy that reduces free cloud storage for new accounts to 5GB. Users can unlock the full ...

Google is testing a 5GB free storage limit for new Gmail accounts unless users add a phone number to unlock the full 15GB.

For years, signing up for a Google account automatically granted users access to 15GB of free storage shared across Gmail, ...

Google is reportedly testing a 5GB storage cap for new accounts that skip phone verification. While the full 15GB remains available, it now appears to be a “bonus” unlocked only after linking a number ...