YouTube has begun taking action against Premium Family subscribers who live at different addresses, following Netflix’s password-sharing crackdown that left users disappointed worldwide.
Several users have reported receiving official emails from YouTube, warning that their Premium Family memberships will be paused if members are not living in the same household as the account manager. The warnings state that subscribers will lose ad-free and Premium features after 14 days, leaving them with standard ad-supported access.
What is the Premium Family plan?
The YouTube Premium Family plan, priced at ₹299 per month in India ($22.99 in the U.S., £19.99 in the U.K., AU$22.99 in Australia), allows one account holder to share benefits with up to five family members. These benefits include ad-free videos, background play, offline downloads, and YouTube Music access.
While the terms and conditions have always specified that family members must reside in the same household as the manager, YouTube has not strictly enforced this rule until now. The company already conducts electronic checks every 30 days to verify account activity, but recent reports suggest these checks are now being followed up with direct enforcement.
Users push back
The crackdown has frustrated many subscribers, who argue that the “family” plan name is misleading if access is restricted only to those living under one roof. Some have suggested renaming it to “Household Plan” to better reflect YouTube’s terms. This development has also raised concerns for families with members living apart due to work, study, or travel, who may now be forced to buy separate subscriptions.
Not yet global, but spreading
So far, the enforcement appears limited to certain regions, though YouTube has not officially disclosed which countries are affected. Reports have surfaced from multiple users, suggesting the rollout is gradual and likely to expand.
The move follows a wider trend among streaming platforms to tighten rules to boost revenue. Netflix, Disney+, and other services have already introduced measures to stop account sharing, often meeting backlash from long-time subscribers.
What’s next for subscribers
For Premium Family members who have not yet received a warning, the crackdown may only be a matter of time. With streaming companies seeking stricter compliance, users should expect more location-based checks and stricter rules in the near future. As streaming giants race to protect subscription revenue, YouTube’s decision signals that the freedom to freely share family plans across multiple households may soon come to an end.
