I've been having some weird issues over the last few days with not being able to search for things in YouTube when I'm logged in via SmartTube account.
So I decided to try accessing it directly. Well guess what? It looks like YouTube now requires age verification in AU.
Sorry Google... I'm not uploading my passport, drivers licence or govt id to watch your shit. I am however now very incentivized to use Tube archivist and Jellyfin, plus cron job to scrape your shit with gleeful abandon.
EDIT: Rather than removed about it, I did something and made Smarttube work without a google account. If that floats your boat, have at it. It supports direct import of your saved playlists via Google Takeout ZIP file, subscriptions etc without needing a youtube account.
Also, remember the excellent TubeArchivist exists if you want even more control.
Yes, it's all performative nonsense but talking to govt reps is a long wait for a bus that never arrives.
So - as usual - sailing the high seas will be the solution.
Frankly, i'm thankful for the enshittification. As of right now, we can still access YT fully (search etc)...so long as we're not logged in. It boggles my mind how that makes any sense.
Not logged in? Sure, watch whatever you want.
Logged in, want to access your saved play lists, search etc? Papers please.
That may be true but the point is they're the only ones with the power to change that.
That hasn't been my experience. About half the time YT will block me from accessing videos without being signed in "to make sure I'm not a bot".
Oh, lovely :/. I do hope that starts to happen here too. Gives me an excuse to hyper focus on an over engineered solution.
No better fuel then spite.