Gemini API 403 PERMISSION_DENIED — "Your project has been denied access" on brand new project

Gemini API
1

Hello,

I’m requesting a review and unlock of Gemini API access. This error appears consistently on a freshly created project with no prior usage history and no known policy violation.

Project Name: ai-interview-platform
Project ID: ai-interview-platform-501111
Account type: Personal Google account
Region: India
Project created: July 1, 2026

What I’ve verified:

  • Generative Language API is ENABLED on this project
  • Billing is NOT enabled (intentionally, to stay on the free tier)
  • API key is restricted to Generative Language API only (not an unrestricted key)
  • Tried multiple fresh API keys generated from this project, same error on all
  • Tried both the legacy @google/generative-ai SDK and the current @google/genai SDK — identical error on both, ruling out an SDK/client issue
  • Also tested from a separate older project (gen-lang-client-0572133…) with the same account — same 403 error there too, suggesting this may be an account-level restriction rather than project-specific
  • Waited 5+ minutes after applying key restrictions, still same error

Exact error returned on every request:
{“error”:{“code”:403,“message”:“Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”,“status”:“PERMISSION_DENIED”}}

Model tested: gemini-2.5-flash

This is for a personal learning/portfolio project (an AI mock-interview practice app) with legitimate use — no automation abuse, no bulk scraping, no policy violations that I’m aware of.

Could someone from the team please review and confirm what’s causing the block, or reinstate access? Happy to provide any additional account/project details needed.

Thank you.

2

Hi @Aditi_Yadav ,

Getting a 403 API error response and / or seeing “Unavailable” next to your project in AI audio indicates a flag has been placed on your account. To proceed:

  1. Check for banners / error callouts in the AI Studio Projects page & the Billing page.

  2. If the issue isn’t clear from the above, contact Cloud Billing Support.