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YouTube Premium Is Not Ad-Free as Advertised, Class Action Lawsuit Claims (www.classaction.org)
submitted 6 days ago by beep@piefed.world to c/technology@lemmy.world
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cross-posted from: https://piefed.world/c/tech/p/1310997/youtube-premium-is-not-ad-free-as-advertised-class-action-lawsuit-claims

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[-] TheTechnician27@lemmy.world 7 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

regarding the marketing of the product or the functionality of the product?

The marketing, to which Google is going to obviously and correctly respond that:

  • A reasonable consumer would not expect that "ad-free" means that creator-submitted sponsored material is not present in the videos, descriptions, etc., which they create.
  • There's a "Restrictions Apply" link taking you to the ToS, which itself in the "Advertising" section prominently – literally the first word – links directly to a FAQ stating that YouTube Premium has nothing at all to do with blocking sponsored content.
  • That is to say that the terms and FAQ clarify what a reasonable consumer would already assume.

I'll repeat what I think you already saw in another comment: I'd love to have it shoved in my face when a judge or jury actually buys this (I'd assume plaintiffs would request a jury and the defendants would not) and Flemming et al. see a dime.

[-] xthexder@l.sw0.com 7 points 5 days ago

Just to add to this... some of the videos on YouTube are actual full ads. The content itself is an ad, so what should Google do? Ban YouTube Premium users from watching those videos? (I'm thinking like old Superbowl ads)
I don't see how Google could possibly make a determination of what is and isn't an ad, when Sponsor Block can barely figure out the categories. I doubt we could expect creators to self-identity sponsored segments, and I could easily see that system being abused.

People get really creative with their sponsors sometimes, doing entire skits to try and get you to keep watching. There's no clear way to determine what an ad even is when it's uploaded by the creator.

[-] architect 1 points 1 day ago

We used to have a ftc that gave a shit about this. Now yall have lost the plot. If you’re being fucking paid to promote a product that’s a fucking ad. I don’t give a fuck if you made a movie for it. There should be massive sponsored banners right the entire sponsored ad.

[-] boonhet@sopuli.xyz 2 points 5 days ago

I'll literally watch Map Men sponsor segments on purpose (along with a few others)

this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2026
413 points (97.9% liked)

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