YouTube terminates subscriptions of VPN users accessing cheaper Premium plans from other countries
YouTube has stepped up its efforts against users using VPNs to secure cheaper YouTube Premium subscriptions, following recent actions against ad blockers. Reports reveal that YouTube Premium subscribers using VPNs found their subscriptions automatically terminated by the platform, as confirmed by several users sharing their experiences on Reddit.
YouTube response
According to a YouTube spokesperson, the company uses a system to accurately determine a user’s country to offer appropriate subscription packages. When there is a difference between a user’s registered location and their current access point, YouTube will ask users to update their payment details to match their actual country of residence, Techcrunch reported.
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Action timeline
When asked about the timeline of these cancellations, a support representative mentioned: “This action was taken recently, although the exact date has not been specified yet.”
Regional price differences
Many users have taken advantage of regional price differences, especially in countries like Ukraine, where YouTube Premium costs just $2.40 per month. This is in stark contrast to prices in countries like the US and UK, where the service can cost up to $14 or $15 monthly for an individual plan. YouTube previously increased its US Premium rates from $12 to $14 per month last July, extending the adjustment to long-term subscribers in January.
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Impact of VPNs
VPNs, commonly used to protect online privacy and security by masking IP addresses associated with geographical locations, can also be configured to make it appear that users are access the Internet from another country. This functionality has enabled users in higher cost regions to exploit the lower subscription rates available in economically smaller markets or access content restricted to specific regions. can.
YouTube’s strategy
YouTube’s suppression of VPN use is part of a broader strategy to enforce fair subscription and pricing practices across its international user base, consistent with efforts to maintain service standards globally consistent.
