As a Hong Kong Workspace user, I can access the web version of Gemini (gemini.google.com) without any issues, but I’ve run into a problem with the Gemini side panel. When I click on Gemini in the browser sidebar, it tells me that it’s not supported in my region. It’s quite strange because the Gemini features in the sidebars of Google Drive and Gmail actually work perfectly fine for me, even though the main browser sidebar in the Gemini main page is giving me this message.
2 Likes
The Gemini sidebar may not be working in Hong Kong because Google has not made the consumer version of the service available in the region due to regional restrictions or compliance issues, even though other Google services function there.
While Hong Kong is not subject to the same level of internet censorship as mainland China, Google has chosen not to deploy its general consumer AI products in the territory. The exact reasons are not publicly detailed by Google, but could be related to local regulations, data privacy laws, or US export control policies regarding large language models.
It work great at other places
I’m facing the same behavior on a Hong Kong Google Workspace account, and this seems to be an expected limitation rather than a bug.
Gemini works correctly on gemini.google.com and also inside Gmail and Google Drive side panels because those are Workspace-embedded Gemini features, which are enabled at the account/admin level and have wider regional support.
However, the Gemini browser sidebar on the main Gemini page appears to be treated as a separate experience with stricter region-based rollout controls. For Hong Kong Workspace users, this specific UI is currently marked as “not supported in your region,” even though other Gemini features are available.
There doesn’t seem to be a user-side fix for this right now. Workspace admin settings usually won’t change this behavior, and using VPNs is not recommended for Workspace accounts.
Most likely this will be enabled automatically once Google expands the regional rollout for the browser sidebar experience.
Hope this helps clarify the inconsistency.
1 Like
Workspace (Gmail/Drive): This is open to you because you have a business license. Google is much more flexible here.
Chrome Sidebar: This is still technically in a limited rollout (mostly US-focused) and is strictly geofenced by your IP address. It doesn’t “see” your Workspace license; it just sees your location and blocks it.
It’s frustrating because you’re literally paying for the tech, but the browser UI just hasn’t caught up to your region yet,
2 Likes