I've long since deleted my other accounts but can't sign in to my main and oldest one because it can't "verify" me so I'm basically locked out even though I still have access to gmail via IMAP.

They usually force additional verification with a phone number/app but I intentionally never linked those to my account for privacy. My options are a random answer to a security question that I don't remember because I made it when I was barely a teen, or signing in from a "known location". You can't opt out of this this additional "security" or forced MFA bullshit and I certainly never opted in.

I've mostly moved away from using anything Google and have moved to more private and free alternatives like Proton, self-hosted, etc but I'm frustrated. I hate them so much on so many levels.

That's it, I'm not looking for advice or anything. I'll figure it out eventually. Just wanted to vent a little bit.