Seoul warns of risks of shared YouTube accounts after 202 complaints — Korea Herald

Authorities in Seoul, South Korea, reported 202 consumer complaints about YouTube Premium sharing services received from January to August 2026. The city administration said it had informed Google, the operator of the video platform, about the situation. Korea Herald reports.

Services for cheaper access

The complaints were submitted to the Seoul E-Commerce Center and concerned local companies offering cheaper access to YouTube Premium through options that are not officially available in South Korea. In particular, Korean users were offered the option of joining family plans on foreign accounts or using a VPN to subscribe through countries with lower prices.

Google has already blocked both of these methods. Of the 202 claims for damages, 144 concerned services not being provided, while another 33 involved companies ceasing operations or being impossible to contact. The remaining 25 complaints were related to contract cancellation or refunds.

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Growing number of complaints

According to city authorities, the number of such reports has increased in recent years: from seven in 2023 to 229 in 2024 and 488 in 2025. Seoul linked complaints about YouTube Premium to an increase in the monthly subscription price in December 2023, from 10,450 won to 14,900 won.

The Seoul administration advised consumers not to pay intermediaries for long periods, as the service may be discontinued due to sanctions by YouTube. The city also asked Google to expand the range of options available to Korean users, including family and student plans.