YouTube takes action against Premium users who use VPNs to get subscriptions on the cheap (only $2.40/month in Ukraine)

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YouTube, the popular video-sharing platform, has initiated actions against Premium subscribers exploiting VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to access more affordable subscription plans. This move has sparked a wave of frustration among users, especially on platforms like Reddit.

 

 

YouTube Premium, a subscription service, varies in cost across different regions. Some subscribers have been using VPNs to appear as if they are based in countries where the service is less expensive2. For instance, the cost of YouTube Premium in Ukraine is about $2.40 a month, significantly lower than in the US or UK, where it costs about $14 or $15 a month, respectively.

 

However, YouTube has now started to detect when a subscriber’s signup country does not match their access location. In such cases, the system prompts the user to update their billing information. The company has even gone as far as cancelling premium memberships for accounts identified as having falsified signup country information.

 

This crackdown comes a year after YouTube’s price hike for U.S. subscribers, which increased the price of Premium from $12 to $14 per month. It’s worth noting that VPNs are commonly used to protect user privacy and prevent cyberattacks, but they can also hide a user’s IP address, which can be tracked to a specific geographic location.

 

How will this impact the global user base and the future of subscription services? Will this lead to a broader discussion about regional pricing disparities? We invite you to share your thoughts on this development.

 

 

Read more:

• https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/youtube-cracks-down-on-vpn-use-for-cheaper-premium-abroad/story
• https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/20/youtube-confirms-crackdown-on-vpn-users-accessing-cheaper-premium-plans/
• https://www.gadgets360.com/apps/news/youtube-premium-subscription-vpn-users-crackdown-5936713
• https://www.gsmarena.com/youtube_is_now_cracking_down_on_those_using_vpns_to_get_premium_cheaper-news-63374.php
• https://www.pcmag.com/news/youtube-cracking-down-on-cheap-premium-plans-bought-via-vpn
• https://www.standard.co.uk/news/tech/youtube-banning-money-saving-trick-ad-free-subscription-for-cheap-b1166003.html

 

Image: Amsis1 | Dreamstime.com