Clarification on "not for consumer use" clause for a BYOK desktop app (Gemini API)

Gemini API
1

I’m an indie developer building a desktop video editing application (distributed on Steam, Windows) for content creators (YouTubers, TikTok/Shorts creators). I’m planning to integrate a “Bring Your Own Key” (BYOK) model for AI-powered features (auto-captioning, platform-specific short-form video generation, etc.), and I’d like to clarify how the Gemini API Additional Terms of Service apply to this setup.

Intended architecture:

  • Each end user (consumer, not a developer) generates their own Gemini API key from their own Google AI Studio / Google Cloud account.
  • The API key is entered directly into my desktop application and stored locally (encrypted), never transmitted to or stored on my servers.
  • All API calls are made directly from the user’s machine to Gemini API using their own key and their own billing account.
  • I strongly encourage users to attach a Cloud Billing account to their key (Paid Services) rather than using the free tier.

My question:
The Additional Terms state: “Use of Google AI Studio and Gemini API is for developers building with Google AI models for professional or business purposes, not for consumer use.”

Since my application is a paid commercial product ($40, one-time purchase) aimed at content creators using it for their professional/business content creation, but the actual API key holder and caller is the end consumer (not a business entity), I’d like to understand:

  1. Does this BYOK architecture (where individual consumers hold and use their own API keys within a third-party desktop application) fall under “consumer use” that is restricted by this clause?
  2. Is the relevant distinction based on who calls the API (the end user) or the nature of the application built on top of it (a commercial software product)?
  3. Are there existing examples of consumer-facing BYOK products (e.g., JetBrains AI Assistant BYOK, similar IDE/creative tools) that Google considers compliant, that I could reference as a model for compliant implementation?

Any clarification — official or from community experience — would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

2

Hello @blackcanes ,

The Gemini API Additional Terms of Service and Google APIs Terms of Service define any application that accesses the APIs as an API Client and set out the following explicit requirements:

  • Use Restrictions: “Use of Google AI Studio and Gemini API is for developers building with Google AI models for professional or business purposes, not for consumer use.” (Terms: Use Restrictions)
  • Age Requirements: “You must be 18 years of age or older to use the APIs. You also will not use the Services as part of a website, application, or other service (collectively, ‘API Clients’) that is directed towards or is likely to be accessed by individuals under the age of 18.” (Terms: Age Requirements)
  • Regional Paid Services Mandate: “You may only access the Services (or make API Clients available to users) within an available region. You may use only Paid Services when making API Clients available to users in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the United Kingdom.” (Terms: Use Restrictions)
  • Credential Security: “You agree to keep your credentials (such as passwords, keys, and client IDs) confidential and secure. You are solely responsible for all activities that occur under your credentials.” (Google APIs Terms: Section 4(a))
  • Prohibited Conduct: API Clients and generated content must comply with the Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy.

Please review these specific clauses to verify that your application’s architecture, target audience, and user workflows align with these requirements.

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