Google Pulls AI Satellite Tool After OSINT Backlash
Google has temporarily removed an AI-powered satellite image generation feature from Google Earth following backlash from the OSINT community. Experts warned that the tool could be used to create convincing fake imagery and spread disinformation.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the growing tension between AI innovation and the need for verification in open-source intelligence.
Google has withdrawn its AI satellite image generation feature from Google Earth less than a day after launch, following criticism from the OSINT community that it could fuel disinformation with convincing fake imagery.
Google has rolled back its newly launched AI satellite image generation feature for Google Earth within 24 hours of its debut after criticism from the open-source intelligence (OSINT) community over its potential to create convincing fake satellite imagery and spread disinformation.
The “Create Image” feature used Google’s Nano Banana 2 image generation technology to let users zoom into any location in Google Earth and generate synthetic satellite, aerial or 3D images by entering a text prompt.
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