Google has suspended a newly launched AI-powered image generation feature in Google Earth, just a day after its release, following reports that users were creating images that appeared to violate the company’s policies.
The feature, powered by Google’s Nano Banana 2 AI model, allowed users to generate photorealistic images based on Google Earth’s satellite, aerial and 3D imagery by entering text prompts for virtually any location in the world.
The tool quickly drew criticism over its potential to spread misinformation by enabling users to create realistic but fabricated scenes involving real-world landmarks and locations.
In a post on X, Google said it had seen professionals using the feature for legitimate geospatial applications but had also identified examples of generated images that appeared to breach its policies.
“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,” the company said, adding that the feature had been paused while stronger safeguards are developed.
Google did not specify which policy violations had occurred but noted that the AI-generated images were watermarked and were not integrated into the main Google Earth experience.
The move reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies have scaled back or modified AI features following concerns over misuse, misinformation and privacy.
Earlier this month, Meta discontinued its Muse Image feature, which generated images using public Instagram accounts, after widespread criticism over privacy concerns.