Banned by google

malina

I set up a pixel 10 provided a phone number it’s the only and only google account I’ve ever used and then I was alerted a week later that my google account for installing apps was closed down they said “you have multiple google accounts so we close your account” I’ve never used google before I can’t help but feel they closed it because they detected that graphene os was being used, so now I’ve lost my other accounts linked it to and the installed apps. I tried to submit an appeal and it just said error. It means I can’t make the move from iOS as I need apps like WhatsApp and mSecure.

tux_

I don't know about mSecure, but you absolutely don't need Google to use Whatsapp. An apk can be downloaded straight from its website.

Johnnyloans

malina I tried to submit an appeal and it just said error.

Hello, sorry, that's a pain.

Try opening the appeal link in an incognito tab or window (AKA private tab or window) .

Or try that link on another device.
Maybe even on another internet connection if your VPN or WiFi are causing issues.

Try the above and try the google appeals process first. I am not a lawyer but you could find out more about the below avenues afterwards. The following isn't in any particular order.

Information Commissioner's Office
Make a complaint about them mishandling your personal data. Possible violations: right of access, automated decision making, fairness of processing

small claims court
Get your account back, compensation for damages.

Write to your MP
Google is ignoring UK citizens and being unfair

I'm sure it'll turn out alright mate. Sounds like a proper mix up.

Have you had this phone number for 1 year? 5 years? Chuck that into your appeal and other reports -- maybe they're confusing you with someone else.

Take a deep breath, pop the kettle on, have a cuppa.

Godspeed :)

Johnnyloans

Document your progress. Date you lost access, date of email correspondence, appeal, filing a report.

GrapheneOS-Jub

For WhatsApp (Aurora-installed) , i just link device on my other non-GOS phone and scanned the QR code and was able to run WhatsApp on P9PXL. Fyi i don't have a sim installed on the PXL.
Although i have 3 google sccounts, non is logged on the GOS phone.

Shellibrini

Is this legit? Very worrying if so, if I lost access to my Gmail I'd be screwed

ElliesSurviving

i havent seen any other case of that, many i know rely on multiple google accounts so if they end up actually doing this it will be problematic

DeletedUser1015

Strange story. Google themselves actually advise to use multiple Google accounts in certain cases, for example when using Private Space: https://support.google.com/android/answer/15341885#different_google_account

FunkTastic

Get an iPhone for digital slavery apps and forget Google.

DeletedUser1015

I have never heard of Google deleting accounts because of having multiple accounts. Google does have a policy for deleting inactive accounts: https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/technology/safety-security/updating-our-inactive-account-policies/

xxx

GrapheneOS-Jub i just link device on my other non-GOS phone and scanned the QR code and was able to run WhatsApp on P9PXL.

This works?

can I take the wa apk and link it to an iphone? Thanks.
apk from here. https://www.whatsapp.com/android

fid03

malina “you have multiple google accounts so we close your account”

Are you in a position to quote the exact message Google sent you? The thing is that Google support is entirely clear on multiple accounts being allowed unless they detect potential abuse. See https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/40695?sjid=2932960100900858155-EU#zippy=%2Cuse-of-multiple-accounts-for-abuse

Google automatically detects and disables accounts made for abuse.
Many people have more than one Google Account, like a personal account and a work account. Uses like that are fine.

See also the article linked by notime where Google encourages the use of a separate account for private space.

I'd advise you to try Johnnyloans' suggestion and try to appeal the decision (unless you actually used your account for abuse, which I'm assuming you didn't):

Try opening the appeal link in an incognito tab or window (AKA private tab or window) .

malina

I removed the account after and it was something along the lines of we detected unusually activity and went on to say that I had little accounts and was disabling the account and the only things I did with the account was access it over a residential VPN, add my phone number (a burner) and sign up to instagram with it.

Given the fact that these companies act unreasonably and can delete an account like this in a heart beat, I’m just gonna self host an email and stay clear of big tech app stores like Google. Eventually I fear it’ll be harder if they try to stop side loading or require id from developers.

I’m very picky with my tech as I only want secure and privacy friendly and I don’t think google matches that. I’ll just do my banking through the website and download the apks.
It feels exhausting really, im switching to graphene and for my pc I’ve got a pc with intel me cleaned from the bios and added open sourced bios and im gonna run a SE re version of Linux like secure blue, im done with big tech and how they treat people. I was a big apple fan girl for years until they started demanding ID when it wasn’t a law requirement at the moment it was optional for tech companies but they added it anyway and sold out. I really miss the days of pay phones when I didn’t have separation anxiety from my phone I’d go out no phone and was happy walking and using a pay phone if it was an emergency lol 😝 I don’t think we realised how good we had it back in the 80s/90s and the naughties

Fay_Wilmont

Shellibrini Time for you to prepare for this scenario, because there are many stories online of people randomly losing access to their Google account with no recourse. Whenever you entrust a faceless corporation with your data and don't keep backups, you're one automated decision away from losing it all.