They’re probably just trying to prevent any user momentum away from Chrome from gaining traction. Ensure there remains no better options for the people who don’t care about privacy or ethics (which sadly is the bulk of ppl)
I can’t justify a subscription bc my activity is very inconsistent. Sometimes I watch several vids on YT, sometimes I go long periods without going there, so I’m not gonna pay for something I don’t use half the time. If YT had a system where you could buy credits or something that don’t expire, then, depending on their cost, I could see myself actually paying to use their platform.