Request for manual review - 403 Your project has been denied access (verification completed, both projects affected)

Gemini API
1

Both return the identical error, which points to an account-level flag rather than a project-level one.

What I have already checked:

  • API keys are valid: GET /v1beta/models returns the full catalog, and countTokens on gemini-3.8-flash succeeds.
  • The Gemini API (generativelanguage.googleapis.com) is enabled on both projects.
  • The API key is restricted to the Gemini API in Google Cloud Console.
  • Same 403 across v1, v1beta, and the OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
  • Completed age verification, phone verification, and 2-Step Verification.
  • Created a brand-new API key after completing verification - still 403.

Intended usage:
Personal, non-commercial. I run a local developer agent and would like to use Gemini as one of its model backends for learning and personal productivity. Low volume, no public-facing product, no resale.

Could you please review and restore access, or let me know what else is required?

Thank you.

2

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. 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. Once age verification is configured, retry your request or create a new API key in Google AI Studio.

  5. 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.

  6. If you are on a paid tier:

    1. Please share your Project ID via DM.

    2. 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.

    3. 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)