YouTube‘s crackdown on ad blockers is intensifying, with the video streaming giant now setting its sights on third-party mobile applications that circumvent advertisements. In a move that is sure to ruffle the feathers of many users, YouTube announced an update on Monday that targets apps leveraging the platform’s API to deliver an ad-free viewing experience.

The latest development in YouTube’s ongoing battle against ad blockers comes on the heels of last year’s “global effort” to encourage users to either allow ads or subscribe to the premium, ad-free tier of the service. At that time, the company began disabling videos for desktop users with ad-blocking extensions enabled, a maneuver that drew the ire of many in the tech community who valued an uninterrupted streaming experience.

In its statement, YouTube defended the crackdown on third-party ad-blocking apps, citing the need to ensure that creators are fairly compensated for their work. “[Our policies don’t allow] third-party apps to turn off ads because that prevents the creator from being rewarded for viewership,” the company asserted. This stance underscores the delicate balance YouTube must strike between appeasing its user base and safeguarding the revenue streams that sustain its platform and the vast ecosystem of content creators who call it home.

For those who have grown accustomed to watching YouTube videos through ad-blocking apps, the latest move is likely to be met with frustration. Users of affected apps may now encounter buffering issues or error messages informing them that “The following content is not available on this app.” While some ad-blocking services, such as AdGuard, claim to be unaffected by the change due to their avoidance of YouTube’s API, the crackdown nevertheless represents a significant blow to those seeking an interruption-free viewing experience.

Unsurprisingly, YouTube’s solution to the ad-blocking dilemma is to encourage users to subscribe to its premium, ad-free offering. “When we find an app that violates these terms, we will take appropriate action to protect our platform, creators, and viewers,” the company warned, leaving little doubt about its determination to enforce its policies.