Google May Mandate Phone Numbers for New Accounts

Google is considering making a phone number mandatory when creating a new account. This development means that new users may soon need to link their phone number to access the full 15GB of free storage space. Without a phone number, new accounts would be limited to just 5GB of storage.

This is currently still an experiment by Google, and the new rule is not yet in effect everywhere. However, it has long been difficult to create a new Google account without providing a phone number. It is often requested during the registration process.

What does this mean for SME businesses?

For many SME businesses that use Google services, such as Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), this could have an impact. If you frequently create new accounts for employees or projects, it is good to be prepared for this. It may mean that in the future you will be more inclined to register phone numbers for your business accounts. Therefore, ensure that you have a clear policy regarding the processing of this data and that it complies with privacy legislation (GDPR).

If you are already using Google Workspace, there's a good chance your existing accounts won't be directly affected. It appears to be related to the creation of new, standalone Google accounts for now. Should you notice any remarkable changes within your business environment, please contact your IT administrator or Assist2go for advice.