Your YouTube Premium mooching days are over. Unless, of course, you happen to live with whichever champion invited you into the R150/m ‘Premium Family’ plan. Google, like Netflix, has reportedly begun flagging accounts that don’t reside alongside the primary account holder, forcing them to get with the programme, or get their own account.
Making like Netflix
That’s not new. Since at least 2023, Google has required all Family members to reside at the primary account holder’s location, but until now, it’s never really enforced the rule. Some moochers have reported receiving emails from Google warning them of the change. As one such moocher, we’ve yet to receive any such mail.
The new policy comes not long after Google hiked YouTube Premium prices in South Africa, bringing the most expensive plan of the lot — a Family membership — up to R150/m. The plan allows up to five members to hop onto your Premium membership, offering ad-free watching and access to YouTube Music.
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“Your YouTube Premium family membership requires all members to be in the same household as the family manager. It appears you may not be in the same household as your family manager, and your membership will be paused in 14 days. Once your access is paused, you will remain in your family group and be able to watch YouTube with ads, but will no longer have YouTube Premium benefits,” reads the email.
There’s no telling when the ire of Google will scorch South Africa’s Premium members. When that happens, you’ll need to make your way to your mate’s house once every 30 days to pass the location check-in. Failing to do so will hit you with a 14-day warning — after which you’ll be freed of your Premium benefits.
