Google Drive is a place where you can save your files and photos. Sometimes, these files can take up a lot of space and make it hard to save new things. WhatsApp is an app that lets you chat with friends, and it sometimes saves a copy of your chats on Google Drive. This means that if you have many chats, they can use up a lot of space on Google Drive. Recently, Google decided to count these chats towards the space limit for Google Drive, so now you might see less space available for other files and photos. This is because WhatsApp backups are being counted in the same way as iOS users. Read from source...

- The title is misleading and sensationalist, implying that there is a sudden spike in Google Drive storage usage due to WhatsApp backups, when in fact it is a result of an agreement between Meta and Google to count WhatsApp backups towards Google Drive storage.
- The article does not provide any background information or context on why this change occurred or how it affects users, leaving readers unaware of the underlying reasons and implications.
- The article uses vague and ambiguous terms such as "if you are low on Google Drive space" and "here's how you can fix it", without explaining what constitutes being low on storage or providing specific steps or solutions for users to follow.
- The article does not mention any alternatives or options for users who do not want their WhatsApp backups to count towards Google Drive storage, such as using third-party cloud services or disabling backup sync altogether.

Based on the article you provided, there are a few possible ways to fix the issue of WhatsApp using up Google Drive storage space. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Backup and restore your chat history: You can manually backup and restore your chat history by going to WhatsApp settings > Chats > Chat backups > Backup now, then Restore from Google Drive when prompted. This will create a new backup that won't count towards your storage limit.
2. Delete old backups: If you have multiple backups, you can delete the older ones by going to WhatsApp settings > Chats > Chat backups > Backup size, then tap on the "Delete" button next to each backup. This will free up some space in your Google Drive storage.
3. Increase your Google Drive storage: You can upgrade your Google Drive storage plan by paying a monthly fee. You can check the available plans and prices here: https://www.google.com/drive/plans. This will give you more room for your backups, files, photos, and other data.
4. Use an alternative backup solution: If none of the above options work for you, you can try using a third-party backup app that does not count towards your Google Drive storage limit. Some examples are Backuptrans WhatsApp to Android Phone Transfer (+) and Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer (https://drfone.wondershare.com/whatsapp-transfer.html). However, be aware of the risks involved in using third-party apps, such as security, privacy, and compatibility issues.
5. Switch to a different messaging app: If you don't mind changing your messaging app, you can try using other alternatives that do not require Google Drive storage for backup, such as Signal or Telegram. These apps have their own cloud storage systems that do not count towards your Google Drive limit. However, you will need to migrate your chat history and contacts to these new apps, which may be inconvenient.

Overall, the risk of losing your WhatsApp data if you follow any of the above options is low, as long as you backup and restore your chats correctly. The main risk is that you will have less space in your Google Drive storage for other files and photos, which may affect your productivity or entertainment. Therefore, it depends on how important WhatsApp backups are for you and how much you value your Google Drive storage capacity.