This answer shows exactly what is wrong with Google. People working there think they just "know" what is better for users without even having the trouble to talk to them. This is not the kind of company that I want to deal with as a customer.
However, the general principals I stated do apply in many cases.
Also - the author of that post has posted a reply:
https://twitter.com/salilstatistics/status/89986397181723852...
Without the huge stink that my prominence created, I would still be locked out. Also, I'm not allowed to talk about why I was banned (which would help others not get banned), nor how someone less notable could've gotten their life back.