Request for Manual Review — Gemini API 403 PERMISSION_DENIED / Project Denied Access

Gemini API
1

Hello Gemini API Team,

I am requesting a manual review of Gemini API access for my Google Cloud project.

Project name: nail
Project ID: nail-5096..
API: generativelanguage.googleapis.com
Model tested: gemini-3.8-flash
Intended use: Personal development and testing of an AI-assisted nail design application.

Every generateContent request returns:

HTTP 403 PERMISSION_DENIED
“Your project has been denied access. Please contact support.”

I have already confirmed the following:

  • Gemini API is enabled for the project.
  • The API key is active and belongs to this project.
  • I created a new API key and received the same 403 response.
  • Requests are successfully reaching the Gemini API.
  • Google Cloud Console records the GenerateContent requests.
  • GenerateContent quota is available and is not exhausted. Cloud Console currently shows the regional GenerateContent request limit as unlimited.
  • Google Cloud Console does not show a project suspension warning.
  • My Google account has the required age information, phone verification, and 2-Step Verification completed.
  • Google AI Studio shows the project’s billing tier as “Unavailable.”

I would like to use the Gemini API for legitimate development and testing of my nail-design application, preferably on the Free Tier while the project is still in development.

Could you please manually review whether an automated security, verification, or eligibility restriction has been placed on this project/account, and restore Gemini API access if the restriction was applied in error?

I have intentionally not included any API keys or private credentials in this public post.

Thank you for your help.

2

I am seeing a similar kind of issue with the 403 project denied message. If the API is enabled and the key is working, it does seem like there may be some project-level restriction. Hopefully the team can check it manually.

3

Hello @JohnJennifer ,

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. 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)