Is converting YouTube to MP3 legal and safe? Top 5 alternatives to download music
YOUTUBE is the world's biggest video sharing site so it's no surprise people want to take MP3 files from it.
However, there are some important dos and don'ts you should be aware of first.
Is YouTube to MP3 legal in the UK?
It is legal in the UK to download a converted YouTube video to MP3 for personal use - but it depends what the audio file is.
For example, if the video contains copyrighted music then you would be breaking the law.
And if you are caught, you could be fined.
While copyright law is usually a civil matter, it can sometimes be considered a criminal offence.
In these cases, a copyright infringement offence can warrant a fine of up to £50,000 in the UK - and even a six-month jail term.
It's also worth noting that downloading anything - video or audio - from YouTube breaks Google's terms and conditions too.
The rules explicitly state "you are not allowed to access, reproduce, download, distribute, transmit, broadcast, display, sell, license, alter, modify or otherwise use any part of the Service or any Content except: (a) as specifically permitted by the Service; (b) with prior written permission from YouTube and, if applicable, the respective rights holders; or (c) as permitted by applicable law".
Is it safe to convert YouTube to MP3 online?
Some YouTube to MP3 converter sites are safe.
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Experts at Tech Radar previously reviewed a handful of sites, and found that Any Video Converter Free and 4k YouTube to MP3 were the two most trustworthy.
But it can be tricky to know if you've got a dubious copycat site on your hands.
It's typically better to be safe than sorry.
The bad ones could be hiding malware onto the converted MP3 file you download.
So be absolutely sure you're using a well-known, legitimate site or app to download MP3 files.
Top 5 alternatives to download music safely and legally
If you're looking to download music, you should use a safe and legal option instead.
Some even have free versions with adverts available.
Here are five top alternatives to download music safely and legally:
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- YouTube Music
- Amazon Music
- Napster
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