this post was submitted on 17 Sep 2026
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Privacy

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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.

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[–] fatur0000new@lemmy.ml 15 points 1 week ago (2 children)

choose how to verify your age

use your credit card

huh? why credit card?

[–] minty@aussie.zone 14 points 1 week ago (3 children)

You can only get a credit card if your 18+, and therefore proves your age. A debit card does not do this since a minor can have a debit card

[–] HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) (2 children)

Many adults don't have one either. I'm in my 30s, got a house. Never had or wanted a credit card. Most people I know don't have one, although a lot of people nationally do have one there are also lots without.

To the American busy typing away, no. I don't need one. Go away.

[–] Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Same, I’m glad to see others like me here. Upper 30s, never had a credit card, never needed one, don’t want one, don’t care to hear arguments about how wrong I am for this choice. School loans built up a credit history for me, and after that whole ordeal I’m more certain than ever that I’d prefer to pay with money I actually have, than rely on money I could theoretically earn in the future.

[–] HerbGrower@slrpnk.net 1 points 1 week ago

Don't even have loans, literally only the mortgage. Even that I don't like but its the only way to get a house really. Hopefully going to pay it off decades early, should be able to with the rate I am saving currently if my partner does the same.

Crazy that I am doing that on £29k though.

[–] Tja@programming.dev 2 points 1 week ago

Good that are other forms, then.

Never owned a credit card, don't plan to.

[–] parzival@lemmy.hkserv.space 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Except I had a credit card when I was a minor, and used it to verify my age everywhere

[–] ayyy@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 week ago

This is different in different countries.

Why indeed.

Logically, because kids would be too young to have a credit card (In theory).