Google disables AI image overlay in Google Earth one day after launch

Google disabled an AI image overlay feature in Google Earth less than 24 hours after its launch following criticism that it could facilitate the spread of misinformation. The feature allowed users to generate images using Google’s Nano Banana 2 model and superimpose them over real satellite imagery in Google Earth.

Critics, including journalists, highlighted the risk that fabricated images could be misrepresented as real evidence, undermining the reliability of geospatial visuals. Google acknowledged both creative use cases and policy violations in shared screenshots, stating it was rolling back the feature to implement stronger guardrails.

The company did not provide a timeline for a potential relaunch, noting it would reassess the feature’s safeguards before proceeding. The episode reflects broader concerns about AI-generated imagery’s role in disinformation, particularly in contexts where visual proof is traditionally trusted.