Google Earth's new AI image generation function didn't survive a day after users deepfaked disasters

Google removed a new AI image-editing feature from Google Earth less than 24 hours after launch, following user-generated deepfakes of disasters and other misleading content. The feature, introduced Thursday, allowed Gemini's Nano Banana 2 image model to transform locations via text prompts, but AI researcher Henk van Ess and others created realistic fake refugee camps, a nuclear plant in Iran, a nonexistent flood, and a 9/11-style attack. A Google spokesperson said the company is rolling back the feature to implement stronger guardrails, noting the images were watermarked and not part of the public Google Earth experience.

Google pulled a new AI image-editing feature from Google Earth less than 24 hours after launch, The company launched the function on Thursday, allowing Gemini's Nano Banana https://www.businessinsider.com/google-nano-banana-name-origin-2026-1 2 image model to access Google Earth and transform locations with text prompts. The function, however, quickly got out of hand. AI researcher Henk van Ess, for example, created extremely realistic deepfakes, including fake refugee camps along the US-Mexico border and a nuclear plant in Iran. Tonight I typed just one sentence into Google Earth and put refugees near the Mexican border. Then I planted a nuclear plant in Iran. What on earth is Google doing? Check my latest post here: — 𝚑𝚎𝚗𝚔 𝚟𝚊𝚗 𝚎𝚜𝚜 @henkvaness https://t.co/N0h6CVECqS pic.twitter.com/WSjdcEXWJx July 30, 2026 Other users used the tool to create AI images of a nonexistent flood and a 9/11-style attack. Heads up Mets and emergency managers. — Peter Forister 🍁🍂🍁 @forecaster25 Google Maps AI gen tool now freely accessible and easy to use. I spoofed flooding and tor damage in 20 seconds NOT REAL IMAGES https://t.co/NkYPxD89Om pic.twitter.com/tbMgf8B5Oy July 31, 2026 — Sonic from the Undeground @MDualsense @googleearth Really great and useful feature you have here, I don't see any downside whatsoever pic.twitter.com/5rOByNxpmL July 30, 2026 By Friday, Google had reversed course. "We've seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes, however we've also seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies," a Google spokesperson said in a statement posted on X. "So we're rolling back this feature in Google Earth while we work on implementing stronger guardrails." Google added that the AI-generated images were watermarked and never appeared in the public Google Earth experience. Google is not the only company that has lately rolled out AI features only to quickly remove them. Meta launched Muse Image https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-new-muse-image-ai-model-default-instagram-sharing-rules-2026-7 on July 7 with a feature that allowed users to generate AI images using images available on all adult-owned public Instagram accounts that had not changed their settings to opt out. Meta removed the feature in less than a week and said it had "missed the mark."