YouTube Australia demands passport, users turn to alternatives

Google rolled out mandatory age verification via government ID upload for YouTube users in Australia. In response, SmartTube shipped an update that works without a Google account and imports subscriptions via Google Takeout ZIP, while TubeArchivist and Jellyfin scraper setups saw a surge.

• Google requires uploading a government ID to access YouTube in Australia
• SmartTube added account-free use with Google Takeout ZIP import
• TubeArchivist and Jellyfin scrapers grew as archiving alternatives
• The post describes workarounds rather than an official Google announcement