Alphabet (GOOGL) stock was up on Thursday even as the company faces backlash over changes to YouTube. The video streaming platform has launched new age estimate tools that are powered by artificial intelligence (AI). These tools estimate a user’s age based on their activity on the platform.
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The big issues that users have with this are the errors it can make and how to fix them. If a user’s account is estimated to be younger than it is, that person can have their content restricted on the platform, both as a viewer and a creator. If this happens, users have to submit personal data to YouTube to have the restriction removed. This can include an ID, credit card, or selfie.
While YouTube maintains that this new AI age estimate is to protect younger users on the platform, some have complained about the security risks it poses to other users. That includes the type of sensitive information that has to be shared with the company to remove any blocks or restrictions. It’s unclear if this backlash will cause YouTube to reverse course on its new AI tool, or at least ease requirements for age verification.
Alphabet Stock Movement Today
Alphabet stock was up 0.84% on Thursday, extending a 7.64% year-to-date rally. The shares have also climbed 25.21% over the past 12 months. AI has been a major catalyst for GOOGL stock recently, as it enhances its Gemini AI services.
Is Alphabet Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Turning to Wall Street, the analysts’ consensus rating for Alphabet is Strong Buy, based on 27 Buy and nine Hold ratings over the past three months. With that comes an average GOOGL stock price target of $217.25, representing a potential 6.71% upside for the shares.
