Google Places API photo error: 403 Forbidden

Question

I'm trying to access Places photos using the photoreference.

This works:

https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/place/photo?maxwidth=800&photoreference=CnRsAAAAGrxlcgShBlZZJgAFxr19eT3fQKxeDTpN4HtyCIsUpOHjUPqB_tm_J_Rf9sbwyWU1j4_SSRWyFiIT0TYGDSn6mAwAQ6ep-9Rok0kAEf6LewL8CRYbaEVoEsfrZXs_BIwUcqNs5p1TQv-EMt-PO8RloBIQHF40AvYJVknRixv4uFYVVRoUGKN_fqy7qynsrclqkBbAdaIpi58&key=MY_KEY

But this one doesn't:

https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/place/photo?maxwidth=800&photoreference=CnRnAAAADBlPZditZugHCXmMtb0_qQqwyh3rJ0ByTxnI_MRXXEB7Cj_I1QgTKi7XMUAXbD3YMEH8yPdfIH-u-uoM0ZnMsLY6l0eF0Ip9JTkqkw5tgE_eD6RUhgOztHJ312JRWIFkJq2faixmtTM4DILp4WsWaRIQQy53oVWAfP68T60TsYQSNxoUZDjyv0kLie1ZGNzDrF2YgqqktWo&key=MY_KEY

Both photoreferences are valid. I can access about 50% of the pictures, the other 50% gives me a 403 error. I have a paid license key, and am not over the limit (anyway it's not that the first 50% works and then it gives 403, but quite random, some work, some don't).

Any ideas?

Answer 1

The photo seems to have been removed (or made private) by its owner.

Your 2nd Places Photo request (link) returns a redirect:

HTTP/1.1 302 Found Location: https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-gMRov-DClsg/UkYcLUa5mtI/AAAAAAAAJiI/48Zbe7GvS9I/s1600-w800/photo.jpg

The response for that photo.jpg URL is simply HTTP 404 Not Found.