YouTube users who have been able to score cheaper Premium memberships by using virtual private networks (VPNs) to hide their location may be out of luck. Google charges $14 per month for YouTube Premium in the US, but prices vary greatly depending on the region. Some users have reported being able to access the service from other countries and receive much cheaper offers, as low as $3 a month in places like Argentina, India, Turkey, Ukraine, and the Philippines. However, Google has reportedly started cancelling premium plans for accounts identified as using VPNs to falsify their country of registration information. The company’s support staff has advised potential subscribers to turn off their VPN if they encounter issues when signing up for Premium.
VPNs have various uses, with some people using them for discounts while others rely on them to access content and features not available in their region. Google had even offered its own VPN service through Google One, but it was discontinued in April due to lack of popularity. This crackdown on VPN usage for Premium subscriptions is part of Google’s efforts to increase revenue from YouTube. The company has also recently taken steps to combat ad blockers, making YouTube videos not viewable to users of services like AdBlock.
It is unclear how many users will be affected by the cancellation of premium plans due to VPN usage. Google has yet to comment on the matter, but it appears that the days of accessing YouTube Premium at a discounted rate through VPNs may be coming to an end. Users who have been enjoying lower subscription prices may need to reconsider their options or pay the standard rate in their region moving forward.
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https://gizmodo.com/youtube-premium-google-vpn-crackdown-1851555337