Google Earth AI tool raises fears over spread of fake satellite images

Google has withdrawn its new Earth AI tool after users generated fake images of nuclear power plants in Iran and refugees at the Mexican border. The tool integrated the Nano Banana 2 image-generation model, allowing users to create arbitrary visuals. Security experts warn that such generative tools risk eroding trust in satellite imagery, which is essential for verifying conflict damage and incidents, thereby raising significant fears regarding the spread of deceptive satellite data.