Have you ever received a notification while logging into your Gmail account only to find out that your account has been disabled without any apparent reason? Upon logging in, apart from entering the captcha, you're informed that the account is unavailable or suspended. Despite entering the correct email and password, you're met with the message that the account cannot be accessed and you're advised to appeal. If you've ever experienced the sudden deactivation of your Gmail account, you might be taken aback if you haven't engaged in any activities prohibited by Google's policies.
In the rules set by Google, accounts are disabled for activities that violate their policies. I experienced this firsthand: my relatively new account, which had never been used for any prohibited activities, was suddenly disabled by Google. It was surprising and bewildering. Without any wrongdoing, without feeling guilty or engaging in any prohibited activities, my newly created Gmail account was disabled by Google. It felt odd and left me questioning: why was this account deleted? Even as I write this article, I am still puzzled and wondering: what could have been the reason for Google unilaterally deactivating my Gmail account? I say unilaterally because there was no notification of the wrongdoing associated with the use of this account. Although Google has laid down policies or terms of use for its products, there was no notification or detailed explanation of the violation committed. This is unusual; suddenly being unable to access my Gmail account without any explanation.
Even though Google has created Terms and Conditions for the use of its products, at least if a user is deemed to have violated them, there should be a notification and detailed explanation of the violation committed. But that didn't happen. I still hope for my account to be reinstated and accessible, so I appealed by writing a few honest sentences. And the result, as I suspected, was that the account couldn't be accessed but could still be logged into.
Reasons for Gmail Account Deactivation
To use a service, whether online or offline, there are always Terms and Conditions of use. The same goes for services provided by Google such as YouTube, Blogger, Gmail, and others; before using these services, all users must read and understand all the Policies, Terms, and Conditions. If you're a user of any of Google's services, you've probably read the policies that have been provided, which must be read and understood as best as possible. Even though these terms and conditions are extensive, it's mandatory for users to read and understand them. If you simply glance at them and click "agree" right away, it means you've agreed to and understood everything that Google has communicated. Whether it's written explicitly or implied and requires deeper understanding.
If there are later events that harm you, chances are you didn't really read and understand the Policies made by Google. Because regardless of the situation, there are always implicit conditions that must be fully understood. Like what I experienced, perhaps the account I created contained or involved things that fell under the category of violations, such as identity theft or misrepresentation. Maybe this is what caused my account to be disabled. Here are some reasons why accounts are deactivated by Google:
- Violating Google's terms: https://www.google.com/policies/terms/
- Violating Google's policies.
- Hacking accounts or using someone else's account, which is usually done outside of the usual IP so it's detected by Google.
- Making automatic calls.
- Violating the code of conduct in some Google services: https://policies.google.com/terms/service-specific. These specialized services must be carefully considered because Google often updates its terms and policies.
- Violating by creating content that exploits children.
- Creating or making fake identities or impersonating others.
- And some common violations that almost all Google service users understand, so they don't engage in such activities.
So before creating an account or using anyone's services online, read and understand all the terms and conditions that have become the Policy of that service. Never feel disadvantaged if there are unforeseen circumstances in the future.