Account restricted to AQ. keys - requesting AIza key restoration

Gemini API
1

Hello Google AI Developer Support Team,

I am writing to request restoration of my account’s ability to generate standard AIza-format API keys in Google AI Studio.

Issue:
All API keys generated from my account now produce AQ. prefix tokens instead of the standard AIza format. This affects all projects, including newly created ones. The AQ. keys return 401 Unauthorized errors when used with the Gemini API SDK.

Background:
I accidentally exposed my previous API key in a chat conversation. I immediately deleted the exposed key and generated a new one, but since then, all new keys are generated in the AQ. format only.

I am a paying user (Tier 1) and rely on the Gemini API for my business application. I have not violated any terms of service intentionally.

Could you please restore my account’s ability to generate standard AIza-format API keys?

Thank you for your support.

2

We are moving away from Traffic keys (Alza) and towards a more secure Authentication Key (AQ). AI Studio will now only generate Authentication Key (AQ) keys. More information on key usage can be found in the Using Gemini API keys documentation.

Please submit any compatibility issues with services / SDKs etc. in this form for our engineering team to review. Thanks!