YouTube
YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google, providing a platform for users to upload, share, and view videos globally.
Positive signals
YouTube has expanded its Creator Fund and monetization programs to support a more diverse range of content creators globally, with independent reporting highlighting increased payouts and outreach to underrepresented groups since 2022.
YouTube has implemented stricter content moderation policies to address hate speech, misinformation, and harmful content, with third-party watchdogs and news outlets noting a measurable reduction in the spread of certain types of misinformation since 2022.
YouTube, as a subsidiary of Google (Alphabet Inc.), is subject to Alphabet's comprehensive ESG policies, which include commitments to operate on 24/7 carbon-free energy in all data centers and campuses by 2030, a goal that has been independently reported and tracked by major media outlets.
Concerns
YouTube’s content moderation practices have faced backlash for lack of transparency and inconsistent enforcement, with advocacy groups and academic researchers highlighting cases of wrongful demonetization and inadequate appeal processes, impacting creators’ livelihoods and raising governance concerns.
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Source →YouTube has been repeatedly criticized by civil society organizations and media watchdogs for the proliferation of extremist content, hate speech, and misinformation on its platform, with independent studies in 2022 and 2023 documenting persistent gaps in enforcement and algorithmic amplification of harmful material.
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Source →YouTube has faced criticism and regulatory scrutiny in the EU and US over its handling of child privacy violations, including a $170 million fine imposed by the US Federal Trade Commission in 2019 for violating the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, with ongoing concerns about compliance and enforcement raised in subsequent years.
HIGH
Source →Environmental advocacy groups have raised concerns about the significant energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with YouTube’s video streaming infrastructure, noting that while Alphabet has set ambitious climate targets, the actual carbon footprint of video streaming remains substantial and underreported.
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