Apparently my account "violated TOS" (though I don't see how). The other account was used to interact with a Google Workspace in 2016, and hasn't been used since. I don't particularly care to waste mental energy trying to figure out the methodology behind Google's decision here.

This happening seemed kinda sketchy to me (because I've heard of people having several Google accounts) but, like I said, I didn't really care too much.

Anyway, here's how it went down:

In 2016 I was working w/ a Customer who was using some Google product (I believe Workspace) and I have to have a Google account to interact w/ it. Because I didn't care for them to see my "personal" Google account I make this one-off account.

This account is a Google account w/o Gmail (i.e. the username is not "@gmail.com"). That may be a factor.

Over the years I'd receive notifications that Google was going to delete the account for inactivity. I'd logon again to keep it active.

On 2026-01-12 I got a notification that my old "role" Google account was going to be deleted for being inactive for two years. I decided I wanted to keep it so I attempted to logon. The password in my vault didn't work. I found that perplexing, so I did a "Forgot password" workflow. As part of that I was offered an SMS option. I used the telephone number I use for my main Google account. For sure they "know" I'm the same operator of both accounts.

I don't believe somebody guessed the password on this account and was using it because (a) I was notified it was inactive, and (b) the password was a random 16 character alphanumeric string used only for this account. Something was clearly sketchy about the password being "wrong", though.

I completed the "Forgot password" workflow on the "role" account and got access. I decided to enable TOTP and my "real" Gmail account as the recovery contact. Everything seemed fine.

On 2026-01-13 I received a message as-follows:

> From: Google <[email protected]>

> To: [email protected]

> Subject: Your Google Account has been disabled

> It looks like this account was created or used with multiple other accounts to violate Google's policies. The account might have been created by a computer program or bot.

> If you think your account was disabled by mistake, submit an appeal as soon as possible.

> Disabled accounts are eventually deleted. You’ll need to submit an appeal soon to keep your emails, contacts, photos, and other data saved in your Google Account.

> If you live in the European Union (EU) or are an EU citizen, there may be additional resolution options available to you.