Google pulls AI image tool from Earth after misuse concerns

Google removed an artificial intelligence image generation feature from its Google Earth web platform on July 31, 2026, just one day after its global launch, following intense criticism that the tool could be weaponized to create convincing fake satellite imagery. The company stated it was rolling back the feature to implement stronger safeguards after observing users sharing generated images that appeared to violate its policies.

The feature, introduced on July 30, integrated Google's Nano Banana 2 AI model directly into Google Earth. It allowed users to zoom to any location, click a "Create Image" button, and generate a custom visual overlaid on real satellite, aerial, and 3D mapping data using a text prompt. Google had promoted it for creative and professional uses, such as visualizing historical scenes, planning real estate developments, or generating conceptual artwork.

However, the launch triggered immediate alarm among open-source intelligence researchers, digital forensics experts, and journalists. They demonstrated that the tool could rapidly fabricate realistic-looking scenes of major events that never occurred, effectively creating geospatial disinformation. Tests...