YouTube is starting to restrict Premium family plan sharing after allowing it for years.
Users are receiving 14-day warnings if they don't live in the same household as the plan manager.
Reports indicate that YouTube has begun enforcing its household rule for Premium family memberships. Some users are being notified via email that their Premium access will be paused in 14 days because they do not appear to be in the same household as the family manager. These users will remain in the family group, but will have to view YouTube with ads, a downgrade for those accustomed to Premium.
YouTube's action aligns with other streaming services. Spotify has enforced similar location rules for years, even using GPS to verify user locations. Although frustrating, this type of policy is not new to the streaming industry.
The change creates complications for users sharing a plan with family members in different locations, such as college students or parents in other states. Some feel this is a disappointing change, even if understandable from a business standpoint. One user with a family plan and an adult daughter living three hours away has not yet been affected, but is unsure how long that will last. As the rollout seems inconsistent, those in a similar situation may want to prepare for a possible notification.
In other news, "Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips," a coffee table book for tech enthusiasts, will be released this fall. The book explores the technological revolution of the 21st century. Additional information is available via a provided link.
YouTube's action aligns with other streaming services. Spotify has enforced similar location rules for years, even using GPS to verify user locations. Although frustrating, this type of policy is not new to the streaming industry.
The change creates complications for users sharing a plan with family members in different locations, such as college students or parents in other states. Some feel this is a disappointing change, even if understandable from a business standpoint. One user with a family plan and an adult daughter living three hours away has not yet been affected, but is unsure how long that will last. As the rollout seems inconsistent, those in a similar situation may want to prepare for a possible notification.
In other news, "Iconic Phones: Revolution at Your Fingertips," a coffee table book for tech enthusiasts, will be released this fall. The book explores the technological revolution of the 21st century. Additional information is available via a provided link.