Android-youtube-player: Possible violation of YouTube Terms of Service

[Mischmo]

Hello. Are you sure your player can use custom controls? I found this document

https://developers.google.com/youtube/terms/required-minimum-functionality#overlays-and-frames

where you can find this paragraph: “_You must not display overlays, frames, or other visual elements in front of any part of a YouTube embedded player, including player controls. Similarly, you must not use overlays, frames or other visual elements to obscure any part of an embedded player, including player controls._”

[PierfrancescoSoffritti]

Hi, that shouldn't be an issue because the player controls are not always visible, they automatically disappear after a while.

The player has been used by published apps for years now, it's quite safe.

[Mischmo]

Well, I certainly hope that Google will tolerate this solution, even though I think it really is against the rules. The overlay is not always visible, but it is always blocking the user interaction with YouTube player elements like YouTube logo, share button and watch later button. Also the documentation doesn't state that you can display overlay if it's only temporary. The way it is stated sounds to me more like _don't show any overlay - at all_.

The fact that it has been used by published apps for years doesn't really mean all that much. I had an app that used YouTube streams in custom player (I know, much worse than custom overlay - would't go that way ever again) and it lasted in the Play Store for full 4 years before Google took it down.

Anyway, I really like your solution and I hope that Google will let it live. At least until there is a proper official YouTube player that can be used on Android.

Thank you and keep up the good work :-)

[PierfrancescoSoffritti]

Yeah, I understand your concerns.
But considering the state of the official API this is pretty much the only way to play YouTube videos on Android. Also there's tons of apps on the store using a webview-based player with custom controls, even some very popular apps.
Unfortunately that's the best we can have for now 😅