Google's Gmail soon with no invitation

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Google Inc.'s free e-mail service is ending its invitation-only restrictions, soon making itself open to anyone, the California company said Wednesday.

Google's Gmail, started April 1, 2004, has removed the invitation-only restrictions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Brazil.

Invitations in North America, Asia and most of South America will be lifted "very soon," Google said.

The Internet search and online advertising company, which offers users 2.8 gigabytes, enough to fill more than 1 million pages, will start selling additional storage capacity, Digital Trends News reported Wednesday.

Yahoo Inc.'s e-mail provides 1 gigabyte of free e-mail storage while Microsoft Corp's free Hotmail offers 2 gigabytes per account.

Gmail initially attracted criticism and raised privacy questions because it automatically scans all e-mail so it can display "relevant" advertising links alongside messages. Hotmail and Yahoo do not do this.