Gemini API Project Restricted for "Quota Circumvention" – Appeal Pending

Gemini API
1

Hello everyone,

I am looking for guidance regarding a restriction placed on my Gemini API project and would appreciate any insights from the community or Google moderators.

A few days ago, I received a policy violation notice stating that my project:

Default Gemini Project (gen-lang-client-0154586…)

was allegedly involved in attempts to circumvent quota restrictions by operating multiple projects as a single project.

However, to the best of my knowledge:

  • I currently have only one active Gemini API project.
  • I use only one API key.
  • I have never intentionally created multiple projects or accounts to bypass quotas.
  • My Gemini API usage has been through tools such as Cline (temporarily), VS Code integrations, and currently Gemini CLI, all associated with the same project.

For transparency, I have used Google Cloud in the past for learning, courses, and testing. During that time, I created several projects unrelated to Gemini API. Those projects have since been deleted, and only my current Gemini API project remains active.

After receiving the restriction notice, I immediately submitted an appeal. Several days have passed, and I have not yet received an update regarding the review.

I also contacted Google Cloud Billing Support. Initially, they asked whether I was reporting unauthorized charges and suggested checking for compromised API keys. After reviewing my account, I confirmed that the recorded Gemini API usage and charges appear legitimate and consistent with my own activity.

Later, after reviewing a screenshot from my account, the support representative stated that they could see that I had exceeded quota limits and that the matter would be reviewed internally. However, the final response I received was a generic recommendation to submit a rate-limit increase request, which does not address the restriction itself.

At this point, I am trying to understand:

  1. Has anyone else received a restriction for “running multiple projects as one” despite using only a single active Gemini API project?
  2. Is it possible that previously deleted Google Cloud projects triggered a false positive?
  3. Is there any way to obtain an update on an appeal that is currently pending review?

Any guidance from community members or Google staff would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.