YouTube has announced a crackdown on users who utilize virtual private networks (VPNs) to access cheaper premium subscription options. This development follows months of the platform’s efforts to combat third-party ad blockers that violate its terms of service. It appears that YouTube is now focusing on another critical component of its revenue: YouTube Premium subscriptions.
Crackdown on VPN users
A Reddit user, @Alopez1024, recently highlighted the issue in a post titled “Automatic YouTube Premium Cancellation?” on the platform’s subreddit. The post featured a screenshot of an email purportedly from YouTube, informing the user that their premium subscription had been canceled. The email also provided instructions on how to regain access to their YouTube Premium benefits.
In the discussion that followed, several users noted that this cancellation notice could be tied to individuals using VPNs to acquire subscriptions at a lower price. YouTube Premium pricing varies significantly around the globe. For example, the Individual plan starts at $13.99 (approximately Rs. 1,170) per month in the United States, while the same plan is priced at Rs. 129 per month in India, which is nearly 10 percent of the U.S. cost.
This pricing discrepancy has led some users to access YouTube from regions where the subscription fee is more affordable using VPNs. This practice is reportedly what YouTube aims to address with its new measures.
YouTube’s response
A spokesperson for YouTube spoke with TechCrunch, stating, “To provide the most accurate plans and offers available, we have systems in place to determine the country of our users. In instances where the signup country does not match where the user is accessing YouTube, we’re asking members to update their billing information to their current country of residence.”
Increasing subscription costs have become a trend among streaming services lately. Spotify Premium recently experienced a price hike for the second time within a year. Similarly, YouTube Premium raised its subscription price in July 2023 from $11.99 to $13.99 (about Rs. 1,000).
