youtube_subscribe · Youtube MCP: Risk & Policy

WHAT IT DOES

What youtube_subscribe does on Youtube

AI agents use youtube_subscribe to create or update resources in Youtube — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Youtube environment.

WHY IT NEEDS A POLICY

Why youtube_subscribe needs a policy

This tool creates a new subscription relationship for the authenticated user. It is a reversible write action (subscriptions can be removed), not destructive, financial, or execute. Misuse could result in subscribing users to channels without their explicit intent, hence medium severity.

From the tool's definition Subscribe the authenticated user to a YouTube channel, using the YouTube Data API v3 subscriptions.insert endpoint

Attacks that exploit this kind of access

Recommended rule Ready

Verdict

youtube_subscribe Rate-limited

youtube_subscribe stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.

View as policy code

policy.json

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "youtube_subscribe": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "youtube_subscribe_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

LIMIT THIS TOOL →

Instant setup, no code required.

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: every tool call is checked against your rule before it reaches Youtube, so you can run agents against it safely.

FAQ

Questions about youtube_subscribe

What does the youtube_subscribe tool do? +

Subscribe the authenticated user to a YouTube channel, using the YouTube Data API v3 subscriptions.insert endpoint. Args: - \. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Youtube MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.

How do I enforce a policy on youtube_subscribe? +

Register the Youtube MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for youtube_subscribe: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Youtube. Nothing to install.

What risk level is youtube_subscribe? +

youtube_subscribe is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.

Can I rate-limit youtube_subscribe? +

Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the youtube_subscribe rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.

How do I block youtube_subscribe completely? +

Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for youtube_subscribe. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.

What MCP server provides youtube_subscribe? +

youtube_subscribe is provided by the Youtube MCP server (tuitamogamer-gpt/youtube-mcp-server). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.