Google Play Store Account Safety

push

I apologize if this is covered elsewhere, but I would like to know if there have been (or there might be) issues with google banning accounts signed into the google play store on GOS.

I understand that GrapheneOS supports the installation of the Google Play Store, but I just want confirmation/reassurance that this has not been an issue.

For context, I am moving from another android device using the google store, and have unfortunately been using the associated google email as my primary email. I am trying to degoogle for privacy, but I need to use some apps for school and work, and need to maintain the google email while I organize my accounts away from google. Creating a new google account is not feasible as I am keeping my phone number and it is associated with my current Google account. I understand that this is not ideal for privacy, but my current goal is to have greater control over my data and device permissions.

I'm unsure if using Google Play on GOS would violate the fifth point under restrictions in the Google Play Terms of Service

attempt to, or assist, authorize or encourage others to circumvent, disable or defeat any of the security features or components that protect, obfuscate or otherwise restrict access to any Content or Google Play.

since the software is being sandboxed.

The last instance that I found that addressed this question directly was a reddit thread from 2023, which predates the current Google Play Store terms of service.

Your help is much appreciated.

fid03

push I haven't heard of anyone having their accounts banned simply for using sandboxed Google Play. Of course, when accounts get banned you don't always know why, but there's also not many users reporting on this forum that their accounts were banned at all.

I personally have used several Google accounts in several profiles, not associated with a phone number, and have never been blocked from accessing Play Store. Lots of people even use VPNs and Tor when using sandboxed Google Play without issues (except that Google might require you to provide a phone number and lock you out – not ban you completely – if you don't provide one).

Keep in mind that sandboxed Google Play on GrapheneOS uses the original binaries of Play Store and Play services. It's not cheating and you're not circumventing any security protection.

Of course, nothing's 100% certain in this life, but I think if your account is banned, likely it will be for some other reason. I suspect there might be a lower chance of getting flagged for allegedly suspicious activity if you set up account protection such as a passkey or a second factor.