Invidious is just an alternative frontend, much like Piped. It’s against YouTube’s ToS but that does not need to concern you (in most jurisdictions, you can’t get prosecuted for using or recommending a website that breaches a civil contract). The videos are still being pulled from YouTube’s servers so only those YouTube will serve are available (albeit under conditions YT would not approve of, such as without ads, with free broader playback speed options etc.). However, the server’s location can be used to bypass region-locked YouTube videos, which might be considered priracy.

Also, there are client-side alternative frontends like NewPipe, Revanced (modified official proprietary Android app) and Grayjay (with optional features like Subscription Exchange and Polycentric integration relying on FUTO servers).

What exactly is being pirated by using a frontend to essentially just bypass ads? Adblockers aren’t illegal or considered piracy (tho IIRC some country tried to get it to be not too long ago). Can it give you free YT Premium access now or something?

I remember Linus Tech Tips had a hot take once that adblocking/bypassing was the same as piracy. I agree with him.

On Youtube, the user is expected to watch ads to get the video. That’s the cost of the service, how it was designed. Using circumventions to get the content without paying the price, is piracy.

And personally I’m all for piracy.

Idk anything about that site nor what your country’s laws are, but technically downloading stolen software is legal under US Antipiracy Law.

The only thing that is illegal is widely distributing pirated contents, such as hosting said sites.

Link to whatever you want, as far as the law is concerned.