Google Pulls AI Image Tool From Earth After Fake Satellite Photos

Google briefly added an AI image-generation feature (Nano Banana) to Google Earth that could easily fabricate realistic satellite imagery. After reporters demonstrated convincing fake craters and crowds and critics argued that watermarking and user verification would not stop viral misinformation, Google removed the feature and said it will return only after stronger safety measures. The episode raises concerns about eroding user trust when generative AI is added to products relied on for accurate representations of the real world.