403 Permission Denied - Project Restricted - Request for Manual Review please

Gemini API
,
1

Requesting a manual review of Gemini API access for a Google Cloud project.

Project name: Quote Compare
Project ID: quote-compare-a4860
Project number: 5665031255..

Setup:

  • Firebase AI Logic SDK (Kotlin, Android app)
  • App: Quote Compare - Estimate Rates
  • Package: com.thelayoutloft.quotecompare
  • Model via Remote Config: gemini-3.8-flash
  • Backend: GenerativeBackend.googleAI() (Gemini Developer API)
  • Billing: Blaze (pay-as-you-go) enabled

Configuration verified as correct:
:white_check_mark: Firebase AI Logic API enabled in Google Cloud
:white_check_mark: Gemini API enabled in Google Cloud
:white_check_mark: App Check enforced with Play Integrity provider
:white_check_mark: App Check verified requests: 71% passing
:white_check_mark: Firebase AI Logic metrics: requests reach the backend
:white_check_mark: Model name validated against Firebase docs
:white_check_mark: No API key restrictions blocking (key has 25 Firebase APIs enabled)

Observed behavior:

  • Cloud Logging: 0 error entries
  • Firebase AI Monitoring dashboard: “No data”
  • Firebase AI Logic API metrics: 3 requests, 100% errors
  • Play Integrity: 3 calls, 0% errors
  • App Check: 6 calls, 50% errors

The requests reach the AI Logic service but are rejected without error logging — matching the pattern of the automated “project marked inactive” policy from August 2026.

Could the Gemini Developer API team please manually review and lift this restriction? Any missing prerequisite (age verification, phone verification, 2FA) — happy to complete immediately if you tell me which one.

Thank you.

2

Hello @Shivang ,

Getting a 403 API error response or seeing “Unavailable” next to your project in AI Studio indicates that a flag has been placed on your account.

Since you have already successfully completed your age verification, phone verification, and enabled 2-Step Verification (2FA), please follow the remaining steps below based on your account type to restore access:

If you are on the Free Tier (No billing attached)

  1. Retry or Generate a New Key: Now that your account verifications are complete, try your request again. If it still fails, generate a new API key in Google AI Studio (API Keys) and test with the new key.
  2. Verify Model Availability: Ensure that the specific model you are requesting is included in the free tier. You can check model availability, quotas, and your current usage limits on the AI Studio Rate Limit dashboard.
  3. Consider Upgrading (If the issue persists): If you still cannot restore access after these steps—or if you are trying to use a model that requires a paid tier—you may need to add prepayment credits directly in Google AI Studio or attach a Google Cloud Billing account in the Google Cloud Console.
    • Note: Adding a billing account means you will transition off the free tier quota.

If you are on a Paid Tier

  1. Check for Alerts or Banners: Go to the AI Studio Projects page and your Google Cloud Billing page. Look for any error callouts, red banners, or flags. These usually provide concrete next steps or direct appeal links.
  2. Check Your Email: Look for any notifications sent to the email address associated with your project detailing the flag and next steps.
  3. Submit an Appeal: If your GCP project/ billing account is suspended, you must submit an appeal directly through the Google Cloud Console following the Project Suspension Guidelines (Help Center)