On 5/28/2025 10:55 AM, Ross Finlayson wrote:
This (requiring logging into a Google account to watch a YouTube video) is something that YouTube (owned by Google) has been rolling out for all of its videos over the past few months. At first, only viewers with IP addresses that have watched a lot of YouTube videos seemed to be affected; more recently, it seems to be required for almost all IP addresses. But this appears to have nothing to do with the content or channel of the YouTube videos - it seems to apply to all YouTube videos. I.e., it has *nothing* to do with the IETF.
It does have *something* to do with the IETF. The IETF chose to publish videos using YouTube because the service was free for the publisher, and not very onerous for the viewer. But the conditions of the service have apparently changed, requiring viewers to identify themselves, presumably because Google wants to "provide more relevant advertisements" -- and who knows what else they do with tracking data.
If the IETF is bothered by this, then it could instead (or also) upload its videos to some other platform that allows anonymous access (e.g., Vimeo).
Yes, that would be the minimum. Offer an alternative that does not require opting into a surveillance service.
Some may wish that the IETF publish the videos on its own servers, but I suppose such wishes are only realistic if they come alongside a large grant.
By the way, does the IETF archive copies of these videos? -- Christian Huitema
