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YouTube Forces Ads in Moldova Without Offering Premium as an Option

8 points by andrei_zol 2y ago

Until March 2024, users in Moldova enjoyed an ad-free experience on YouTube. However, in March 2024, YouTube began showing intrusive ads in the region. Despite this change, YouTube Premium — the service that allows users to remove ads — remains completely unavailable in Moldova. (https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6307365) This situation is frustrating because: - workarounds don’t work: Using a VPN or changing the country in the YouTube profile doesn’t solve the issue, as payment methods are tied to the user’s actual location. - no legal alternative exists: Moldovan users cannot subscribe to YouTube Premium to remove ads, unlike users in most other countries. In response, a petition has been started on Change.org urging Google to make YouTube Premium available in Moldova. (https://www.change.org/p/bring-youtube-premium-to-moldova-stop-forced-ads-without-an-option-to-remove-them) Many tried reaching out to support.google, but they only provide formal, generic replies and don’t address the core issue. I’m turning to the HN community for advice: Does anyone know a specific person, team, or organization at YouTube (or Alphabet) who could help with this issue? Curious to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

deleted 2y ago
[deleted]
slater 2y ago
If Google wants to play stupid games, have them win stupid prizes: Use an adblocker. Ublock Origin works great.
jisnsm 2y ago
Workarounds don’t exist? Haven’t heard of ad blockers? Which, by the way, are completely legal.
- andrei_zol 2y ago
  what about YouTube mobile app?
  - jisnsm 2y ago
    Use a pirated apk on android or use the website on iOS.
    - andrei_zol 2y ago
      "pirated apk". It kinda feels unsafe.
  - beretguy 2y ago
    On iOS use browser with ad blocker and vinegar extensions.
    - wruza 2y ago
      I’m using Safari and AdGuard app which acts as an ad-blocking extension for it.
  - kuylar 2y ago
    On Android, you can use ReVanced [1] to patch the YouTube app (and much more) on your own device. It's safer than looking for "modded APKs" online as you can see the source of the patches you apply to your own app [2] [1] https://revanced.app/ https://revanced.app/ [2] https://github.com/revanced/revanced-patches/ https://github.com/revanced/revanced-patches/
    - seabass-labrax 2y ago
      Also, NewPipe deserves a shout-out! https://f-droid.org/packages/org.schabi.newpipe/ https://f-droid.org/packages/org.schabi.newpipe/ It is not 100% reliable as YouTube are continually finding new ways to block third-party apps, but NewPipe is never far behind. It has some features that the official app lacks, too! The only thing I ever miss with it is Chromecast support, which can't be added as it currently requires a proprietary library.
rvrs 2y ago
I was very pissed off to find that my Youtube Premium didn't work when I visited Armenia. I was still paying for it, but ads played and I couldn't listen to videos in the background. WTF?
01jonny01 2y ago
Solution = Skipvids.com

8 points by andrei_zol 2y ago

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

slater 2y ago

If Google wants to play stupid games, have them win stupid prizes: Use an adblocker. Ublock Origin works great.

jisnsm 2y ago

Workarounds don’t exist? Haven’t heard of ad blockers? Which, by the way, are completely legal.

andrei_zol 2y ago
what about YouTube mobile app?
- jisnsm 2y ago
  Use a pirated apk on android or use the website on iOS.
  - andrei_zol 2y ago
    "pirated apk". It kinda feels unsafe.
- beretguy 2y ago
  On iOS use browser with ad blocker and vinegar extensions.
  - wruza 2y ago
    I’m using Safari and AdGuard app which acts as an ad-blocking extension for it.
- kuylar 2y ago
  On Android, you can use ReVanced [1] to patch the YouTube app (and much more) on your own device. It's safer than looking for "modded APKs" online as you can see the source of the patches you apply to your own app [2] [1] https://revanced.app/ https://revanced.app/ [2] https://github.com/revanced/revanced-patches/ https://github.com/revanced/revanced-patches/
  - seabass-labrax 2y ago
    Also, NewPipe deserves a shout-out! https://f-droid.org/packages/org.schabi.newpipe/ https://f-droid.org/packages/org.schabi.newpipe/ It is not 100% reliable as YouTube are continually finding new ways to block third-party apps, but NewPipe is never far behind. It has some features that the official app lacks, too! The only thing I ever miss with it is Chromecast support, which can't be added as it currently requires a proprietary library.

rvrs 2y ago

I was very pissed off to find that my Youtube Premium didn't work when I visited Armenia. I was still paying for it, but ads played and I couldn't listen to videos in the background. WTF?

01jonny01 2y ago

Solution = Skipvids.com