Error google cloud/firebase

Gemini API
1

Hello,

I’m having an issue with a Google Cloud / Firebase project that uses Firebase AI Logic with the Gemini Developer API.

My web app is hosted on Firebase Hosting and uses Firebase App Check with reCAPTCHA Enterprise. App Check is correctly registered and enforced for Firebase AI Logic.

Initially, my application was returning this error:

401 Firebase App Check token is invalid

I reviewed and updated the integration, including the Firebase JavaScript SDK, App Check configuration, token refresh, and limited-use App Check tokens. After those changes, the App Check error was resolved.

However, the application now returns:

403 Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.

In Google AI Studio, the project appears with the status:

Restricted

Project ID:

meu-estudo-ses-rj

I contacted Firebase Support and they investigated the case. They confirmed that the current 403 error is coming from the Gemini Developer API backend, not from Firebase itself, and that Firebase Support does not have visibility or the ability to remove this restriction.

They also informed me that this usually indicates that the account/project has been flagged and suggested that I contact the Gemini Developer API team for further assistance.

The project is currently on the free tier and no billing profile is linked.

Could someone from the Gemini Developer API team please help me understand why this project was restricted and whether it can be manually reviewed or restored?

I would prefer to keep the project on the free tier if possible.

I can provide additional technical details privately if necessary.

Thank you for your help.

2

Hello, receiving a 403 API error or seeing “Unavailable” next to your project indicates a flag on your account. Please follow the steps below to resolve this:

  1. If you’re on the free tier with no billing attached, please try the below steps:

  2. Check Model Availability & Rate Limits:

    • Ensure that the model you are requesting is available on your current plan. For example, not all models are available on the free tier. You can verify model availability, quotas, and limits on the AI Studio Rate Limit dashboard.

  3. Ensure you have completed age verification by navigating to Google Account Age Verification and verifying date of birth in Google Account Personal Info.

  4. Complete Phone Verification and turn on 2-Step Verification (2SV) on the Google Account associated with your project.

  5. Once age, phone and 2sv are configured, retry your request or create a new API key in Google AI Studio.

  6. If completing these steps still does not restore access (or if using a model requiring a paid tier), you might want to consider adding prepayment credits directly in Google AI Studio and/ or attaching a Google Cloud Billing account in the Google Cloud Console. Please note this will mean you lose your free tier quota.

  7. If you are on a paid tier:

    1. Check for banners / error callouts in the AI Studio Projects page & the Billing page. Mostly these flags cause visible banners or other errors on these pages with concrete next steps / appeal links. You can also check the email address associated with your project for information on next steps.

    2. 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)