YouTube Blocks Background Playback on Mobile Browsers
YouTube has officially restricted background playback access for third-party mobile browsers. This change affects users who were using browsers like Brave, Vivaldi, and Edge to play videos in the background without a YouTube Premium subscription.
YouTube’s New Restriction on Background Playback
The intention behind this move is to ensure that background playback remains a feature exclusive to YouTube Premium subscribers. A spokesperson from Google clarified this in a recent statement, affirming that the service’s policies aim for consistency across all platforms.
Reason for the Update
- The feature was initially available to some non-Premium users.
- YouTube aspires to maintain a clear distinction between free users and Premium subscribers.
The change was implemented as a direct response to users exploiting a loophole that allowed background playback through various mobile web browsers. As of February 3rd, the move has been acknowledged with an update that includes details about Brave’s browser adjustments.
Impact on Users
This adjustment highlights YouTube’s commitment to its paid service model. Users who wish to continue enjoying background playback must now consider subscribing to YouTube Premium for uninterrupted access.
In summary, YouTube has taken significant steps to limit background playback to its paid users by blocking third-party mobile browsers from accessing this feature. This marks an end to an easy workaround that many non-Premium users took advantage of.
