Google starts blocking users from using VPNs to buy cheap YouTube Premium

Using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to subscribe to paid services like YouTube Premium at a discounted price is nothing new. VPNs allow users to change their IP address, making it appear that they are accessing from a different geographic location. This is a popular way for users in high-cost countries, like the US, to subscribe to YouTube Premium in countries with a lower cost of living.

Specifically, users in the US have to pay $14 per month for YouTube Premium, while in India this figure only stops at $1.54. In Vietnam, many people also try to use VPN to " travel " to Egypt and Turkey to save costs. These transactions often require an international payment card to perform.

However, recently, many YouTube Premium users have been unexpectedly notified that their service has been canceled without any explanation. According to reports on Reddit, the reason may be because Google is cracking down on the use of VPNs to purchase cheap Premium packages. Affected users will have to re-register with an address and payment card in their current country of residence to continue using the service.

In a response to PCMag, a YouTube spokesperson said: "To ensure we provide the most accurate plans and offers, we have a system in place to identify a user's country. When we detect a mismatch between the country of registration and where they are accessing, we ask the member to update their billing information to their current country of residence." This means that Google will cancel memberships for accounts that are determined to have fraudulent registration information.

Google’s move has received mixed reactions from users. Some say it’s necessary to ensure fairness among customers and maintain transparency in pricing. However, many are unhappy, especially in countries where YouTube Premium subscriptions are expensive. They say Google should consider lowering the price of the service or offering more affordable packages for each country.