Recently, reports have surfaced that Google is cracking down on users who obtained cheap YouTube Premium memberships through a VPN service. Users who altered their location to access cheaper subscription rates in countries like Ukraine are now finding their Premium memberships canceled.
In the US, a single YouTube Premium account costs $13.99 per month, while the family plan is priced at $22.99. These subscriptions come with benefits like ad-free playback, YouTube Music, background, and offline playback for up to 6 users. However, in regions like Ukraine, a Premium subscription can be obtained for significantly less, leading users to take advantage of the price discrepancy using VPNs.
By connecting to servers in countries with lower pricing models, users were able to get Premium memberships for as little as $2.50 per month in some cases. While this may have been a cost-saving measure for many, Google has reportedly started canceling memberships of users who took advantage of this workaround, requiring them to sign up with a UK card and address to continue their service.
Although Google has not officially commented on this crackdown, it is clear that they are taking action against users who attempt to exploit geographical pricing differences. While using a VPN to access cheaper subscriptions may not lead to account bans or blocks, it seems that Google is now actively monitoring and canceling such memberships.
For those who have benefited from this loophole in the past, it appears that the days of cheap YouTube Premium subscriptions through VPNs may be coming to an end. While no changes have been made to the YouTube Terms of Service explicitly addressing this issue, it is evident that Google is now enforcing restrictions to prevent users from circumventing regional pricing structures.
Overall, users who have been enjoying discounted Premium subscriptions through VPNs may need to reconsider their approach moving forward. As Google continues to crack down on this practice, it is essential for users to adhere to the company’s policies and pricing guidelines to avoid any disruptions to their Premium memberships.
Article Source
https://9to5google.com/2024/06/20/youtube-premium-vpn/
