Jun 16, 2023 12:00:00

YouTube requests open source 'Invidious' to hide ads and protect privacy to stop development and close repository

On June 8, 2023, local time, YouTube sent an email asking

Invidious , an open-source alternative front-end that allows users to watch videos without data tracking, to stop service within 7 days. Did. YouTube claims that Invidious violates the YouTube API Service Terms of Service and Developer Policy.

YouTube legal team contact us Issue #3872 iv-org/invidious GitHub
https://github.com/iv-org/invidious/issues/3872

I'm Not Invidious | TheFrenchGhosty's Blog

https://blog.thefrenchghosty.me/posts/im-not-invidious/

YouTube Tells Open-Source Privacy Software 'Invidious' to Shut Down
https://www.vice.com/en/article/88xxex/youtube-tells-open-source-privacy-software-invidious-to-shut-down

Invidious is an open-source alternative front-end that protects user privacy by preventing data collection from YouTube, allowing users to hide ads while watching videos without a paid YouTube Premium subscription. Is possible.

However, on June 8, 2023, YouTube's legal team told Invidious developer TheFrenchGhosty , ``We recently learned of the existence of your product or service called Invidious. And it seems to violate the developer policy, ”he said, ``Please stop providing Invidious, which violates our terms and policies within 7 days of the date of this email.''

Regarding the details of the shutdown request, YouTube said, 'Clients using the YouTube API service will display a link to YouTube's Terms of Service,' and 'a clear and comprehensive explanation of how clients use and process their users' information.' Invidious points out that these provisions are not being followed.

In addition, clients of the YouTube API Service are prohibited from imposing restrictions on YouTube functionality or imitating or duplicating the core user experience unless they add significant independent value or functionality.

In response, TheFrenchGhosty argued that ``Indivious does not use the YouTube API and uses

a proxy service , so there is no need to agree to the API's terms of service.'' He also claims that 'YouTube does not understand that Indivious does not use the YouTube API,' and clarifies that there are no plans to make any changes to Indivious' operation. In addition, TheFrenchGhosty said about Invidious, ``We just load the YouTube website, extract only the important data, and display it on another website.When humans watch videos on YouTube, they don't use the API. As such, Invidious does not use the API either.'

Furthermore, TheFrenchGhosty has expressed that he will not do anything unless necessary, but he said, ``Since YouTube and Google have abundant funds, there is a possibility that it may develop into a trial in the future,'' based on legal grounds. It reveals that it is looking for an organization that can protect Invidious.

A YouTube spokesperson has not released a comment, but TheFrenchGhosty said, ``I do not remember doing anything illegal, and YouTube's claims are baseless.We will not comply with requests from YouTube.'' I'm here.