To the Google AI Studio / Cloud Billing Product Team:
I am writing as a long-time Google ecosystem user (2009) and independent developer from Latin America to express a concern regarding the current billing policies.
When trying to set up billing in Google AI Studio to access the API, the system automatically rejects my payment method with the error “Prepaid cards are not supported” [OR_CCR_104].
While I understand the need for credit validation and security, this policy is disconnected from the reality of the Latin American tech ecosystem. In our region, international prepaid cards (issued by solid fintech companies under Mastercard or Visa) are the industry standard for online purchases, server subscriptions, and API payments. They are widely used by independent developers, engineers, and hardware creators.
By enforcing this blanket restriction, Google is creating an unnecessary barrier to entry that excludes a massive amount of Latin American talent. Many self-taught developers and innovators rely entirely on fintech tools rather than traditional banking credit systems to fund their projects.
I respectfully suggest that the billing team review this policy for our region. Implementing temporary balance holds to validate prepaid cards could maintain platform security while opening the doors to thousands of developers.
Lowering this barrier is the first step to fostering innovation in our region. Thank you for your time.
[Para la comunidad de desarrolladores en LATAM]: Si estás intentando integrar la API, desarrollar tus propios sistemas o armar proyectos independientes y rebotaste con el error por usar una tarjeta prepaga regional, deja un comentario abajo o un “+1”. Necesitamos demostrar cuántos profesionales independientes y entusiastas de la tecnología nos estamos quedando afuera por esta barrera financiera innecesaria. ¡Hagamos fuerza juntos!OR_CCR_104