Youtube blocked

[SeUbHS 3]

For the last several weeks: the frequency of youtube asking me to sign in to prove I'm not a bot has increased dramatically.

And now in the last 24 hours: youtube asks me to sign in for every single IP I've tried (and I've tried a couple dozen across the US and a few on Canada, Japan, and etc). I get lucky and can watch a few videos on an IP sometimes, but then youtube will start asking me to sign in like half an hour later.

I'm using eddie 2.24.6 deb package for linux. I tried a fresh install of the eddie client inside of a virtual machine as well but same results. I can view videos just fine without the VPN.

What the hell is going on?

[monstrocity 37]

It's Google and their re-captcha response to bots. You need to use a YouTube front-end, like Invidious or Piped. This instance is working for me currently, but it may not work for long. possible workaround

[SeUbHS 3]

Yeah, that instance already stopped working within a day. Is youtube presenting recaptchas across the board to all VPNs now? If not, I may switch VPN providers. I never used to have these issues with youtube.

[SurprisedItWorks 51]

I'm hitting the sudden youtube login demands as well, though it does vary server to server.  Many US servers trigger login demands every time now, but a few seldom or never seem to.

[monstrocity 37]

The front-end instance I posted earlier has a free sign-up, no email address required. Any random username / password will do. Then, complete a simple captcha related to analog time, and you're good for the session. It's not perfect but it's better than continuously hunting for serviceable Piped instances (or other front-end options that may or may not work).
It appears likely Google has begun targeting VPN IP addresses and forcing logins; I doubt this issue is exclusive to Air servers.

[LightlySalted 1]

Problems also happening on Freetube which was updated yesterday because of these issues.
Works without a VPN but throws a tantrum with multiple errors when connected to a VPN.
It appears Google has been on the attack for some time now.

[SeUbHS 3]

On 3/29/2025 at 3:29 PM, LightlySalted said:

Problems also happening on Freetube which was updated yesterday because of these issues.
Works without a VPN but throws a tantrum with multiple errors when connected to a VPN.
It appears Google has been on the attack for some time now.

Yep, for at least a month or two now, with the problem gettting REALLY bad in like the last week. Freetube had an update recently, so the errors I'm getting from that are related to my VPN usage now, not freetube itself.

[SeUbHS 3]

Does anyone know of any larger discussions happening on this topic like a large youtube video or reddit thread discussing youtube going after VPNs all of a sudden?