Google has withdrawn a newly launched artificial intelligence feature for Google Earth after widespread criticism from researchers and open-source intelligence specialists, who warned it could be exploited to create convincing fake satellite imagery and undermine trust in one of the world’s most widely used mapping platforms.
The decision comes after experts raised concerns that the tool could fuel online misinformation at a time when satellite imagery is increasingly relied upon by journalists, investigators and fact-checkers to verify events around the world.
Google Suspends AI Image Generation in Google Earth
In a statement provided to AFP, a Google spokesperson confirmed the company had paused the feature while it strengthens safeguards.
“We’ve seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes, however we’ve also seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies,” the spokesperson said. “So we’re rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails.”
The spokesperson added:
“We know that people uniquely trust Google Earth for a reliable view of the world.”
The “Create Image” feature was introduced on Thursday and incorporated Google’s Nano Banana 2 image-generation technology into Google Earth. It enabled users to zoom into locations and generate realistic visualisations in seconds using the platform’s satellite, aerial and 3D mapping data.
Google had promoted the tool as a way to “visualize history, create real estate plans and more.”
Experts Warned of Misinformation Risks
Almost immediately after its launch, digital investigators and open-source intelligence (OSINT) specialists warned that the technology could be misused to fabricate highly realistic satellite images.
Google Earth has long been regarded as a trusted reference for geographical verification, making the addition of AI-generated imagery particularly controversial.
Digital investigations expert Henk Van Ess criticised the move in a widely shared post on Substack.
“Google spent 20 years building the reference the world checks against,” he wrote. “Today it added a button that makes things up.”
Brady Africk, a research analyst at the American Enterprise Institute who specialises in satellite imagery analysis, told AFP the feature would have made it “easier to generate convincing fake satellite imagery that can spread quickly online and mislead the public.”
He added that such fabricated images “erode public trust in satellite imagery, and make the jobs of journalists and researchers more difficult.”
Digital Watermarks Failed to Ease Concerns
As criticism intensified, Google responded on X by noting that images produced by the tool contained SynthID digital watermarks. These invisible markers are embedded in content created using the company’s AI technologies.
The company also reiterated that it takes misinformation seriously, pointing users to its AI policies, which prohibit “misinformation, misrepresentation or misleading activities.”
However, researchers argued that invisible watermarks alone would not sufficiently prevent the misuse or rapid spread of fabricated satellite imagery online.
Tests Demonstrated Potential for Abuse
During testing of the feature, AFP generated several fabricated satellite images depicting fictional events that could have had significant geopolitical implications.
These included an explosion in Paris, a nuclear facility in Iran, a bomb crater in Russia and an Islamic State training camp in Syria.
The tool also responded to prompts requesting false depictions of floods across Bangladesh, a migrant caravan at the United States-Mexico border and a suspicious warehouse containing vans in the US state of Georgia, one of several states President Donald Trump has repeatedly and falsely alleged was affected by widespread election fraud.
Following Google’s decision to suspend the feature, the “Create Image” button was no longer visible within Google Earth.
Previous AI Images Have Had Real-World Consequences
Experts noted that misleading AI-generated imagery has already demonstrated its ability to influence public opinion and financial markets.
In 2023, an AI-generated image falsely depicting an explosion near the Pentagon briefly unsettled financial markets before it was identified as fake.
More recently, during the early stages of the conflict between the United States and Iran, an AI-altered satellite image claiming to show a destroyed US military base attracted millions of views across multiple online platforms.
International Organisations Welcome Google’s Decision
Several organisations specialising in digital verification welcomed Google’s decision to withdraw the feature.
Among them was the London-based Centre for Information Resilience, whose Executive Director Ross Burley described the original launch as “irresponsible.”
“Trust in satellite imagery has taken decades to build and could be irrevocably damaged overnight,” Burley told AFP.
GeoConfirmed, a volunteer-led open-source intelligence project that verifies visual evidence from conflicts worldwide, had also urged Google to reconsider.
Before Google suspended the feature, the organisation said on X:
“We are already observing individuals exploiting the new Google Earth web tool to make military positions, relabel buildings as schools, and experiment with manipulating the information environment.”
The group concluded:
“The primary, and perhaps only, practical use of this tool appears to be the creation and dissemination of mis- and disinformation.”
Balancing AI Innovation With Public Trust
Google’s decision highlights the growing challenge facing technology companies as they integrate increasingly powerful AI tools into widely trusted platforms. While generative AI offers new creative and professional possibilities, the backlash demonstrates the importance of maintaining confidence in digital information sources that governments, journalists, researchers and the public rely upon for accurate geographical verification. As Google develops stronger safeguards, the debate over balancing innovation with the prevention of misinformation is likely to continue.
Thomas Hardy is a contributor to OE Mag, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, accurate reporting and useful information that helps readers stay informed about current affairs and developments that matter to them. His work highlights relevant stories, emerging trends, and key issues, presenting them in a balanced, accessible, and reader-friendly way.