SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Some of Google's unwitting users are learning a harsh lesson: If you violate the company's policies, it may abruptly cut you off from your Gmail account, online photos and other vital digital services.

Several people who recently bought Pixel phones for a New Hampshire dealer are now suffering that punishment. Google detected their online purchases and judged they violated its rules against "commercial" resale of the Pixel. The consumers received $5 for each phone they bought for the reseller.

One Google user locked out from his account since Monday likened it to a "digital death sentence."

In a Thursday statement, Google described the reselling arrangement as a "scheme," but promised to restore the accounts of customers who it believes were unaware of its Pixel policies.