YouTube Premium subscribers received an unwelcome surprise this week as Google rolled out updated terms of service that effectively slam the door on a popular money-saving trick. The new rules, taking effect September 26, 2025, require users to access Premium services primarily from the country where they originally signed up.
The changes target users who have been exploiting VPN services to subscribe to YouTube Premium from countries with cheaper pricing. Many subscribers discovered they could pay almost as little as $1 by signing up for Premium using a VPN connection through a server in countries like India and Argentina. In fact, this tactic has been circulating for years, and it works with many online subscriptions.
The updated terms spell out the restrictions clearly: “Your use of and access to any Premium Service should be used from the country or territory where you signed up for that Premium Service.” The document goes further, warning that accessing services “predominantly outside of that country” or attempting to misrepresent your location could result in account termination.
I received the notification email myself a couple of days ago, along with thousands of other Premium subscribers who now face a choice between paying full local rates or losing their ad-free YouTube experience. The email outlined four key changes, including clarifying plan types, explaining promotional policies, and most significantly, establishing that subscription access should come from your signup country.
Reddit users have been sharing their frustrations about the policy change, with many pointing out an ironic double standard. One commenter noted how Google operates from Ireland for tax purposes across the entire European Economic Area, yet restricts users from doing something similar with their subscriptions.
The crackdown won’t just affect VPN users gaming the system. Legitimate travelers and expatriates face potential disruption too. Several Reddit users raised concerns about extended business trips, digital nomads, and people who’ve relocated but maintain subscriptions from their home countries. The new terms suggest these users might need to resubscribe in their new location, potentially at much higher rates.
It seems YouTube is tightening its enforcement to squeeze out as much money as it can from users. These changes come at a time when ads are at an all-time high, and the platform is even cracking down on ad blockers. So viewers either have to sit through ads after ads or cough up more money for a YouTube Premium subscription based on their location.
We’ll just have to wait and see what happens once the new terms into effect. I wouldn’t be surprised if more people jump ship to other platforms or find other effective workarounds. Stay tuned!
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Dwayne Cubbins
1295 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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