Google has pulled its newly launched AI satellite image generation feature for Google Earth within 24 hours of debut, following open-source intelligence community warnings that the tool could generate convincing fake imagery and fuel disinformation. According to the company, the feature utilized Nano Banana 2 technology to let users prompt synthetic geospatial visuals.
Google Earth AI Satellite Feature Withdrawn After OSINT Pushback
Google rolled back its “Create Image” feature less than a day after launch, according to company statements. The tool allowed users to zoom into any location within Google Earth and generate synthetic aerial, satellite, or 3D images using text prompts. While Google noted that the generated assets were watermarked as AI-generated and never appeared in the main Google Earth experience for other users, the platform faced immediate scrutiny.
Pro Tip for Researchers: Always verify geospatial data against multi-source records, as synthetic generation tools continue to test the limits of automated watermarking and detection filters. Explore our OSINT Verification Guide for step-by-step authentication techniques.
Disinformation Risks Highlighted by Open-Source Researchers
Open-source intelligence researchers demonstrated how easily the tool could fabricate high-stakes geopolitical visuals. Henk van Ess, an open-source researcher, tested the feature on sensitive locations immediately after release. “I tried refugees at the Mexican border, a nuclear plant in Iran, a crash in Amsterdam, a hospital with a bomb crater in Gaza. Nothing was refused,” van Ess stated regarding the lack of generation restrictions.
Brady Africk, Research Analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, warned that AI-generated satellite fakes could mislead the public, erode trust in authentic imagery, and make verification significantly more difficult for journalists and OSINT researchers relying on open-source data.
Developing Stronger Guardrails for Geospatial AI
Google stated it is temporarily removing the feature while working to implement stronger guardrails following reports that users shared policy-violating screenshots. “We know that people uniquely trust Google Earth for a reliable view of the world,” Google explained, noting the utility the feature offered geospatial professionals alongside the clear policy violations observed in shared user screenshots.
Did You Know? Geospatial intelligence analysts rely on multi-spectral satellite data, shadows, and physical consistency checks to differentiate between authentic imagery and synthetic AI outputs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Google withdraw the Google Earth AI feature?
Google withdrew the feature less than 24 hours after launch following criticism from the OSINT community that it could generate convincing fake satellite imagery and spread disinformation.
Did AI-generated images appear in the main Google Earth view?
No, according to Google, generated images never appeared in the main Google Earth experience for other users to see, and all outputs included an AI-generated watermark.
What technology powered the Google Earth image generation tool?
The “Create Image” feature utilized Google’s Nano Banana 2 image generation technology to turn text prompts into synthetic aerial, satellite, or 3D images.
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