Google has abruptly suspended a new artificial intelligence image-generation feature embedded in Google Earth, following widespread backlash over how easily users could generate hyper-realistic fake scenes of military attacks, explosions, and civil unrest layered directly onto real geographic locations.
The feature, which was made available on the web platform, allowed users to steer to any location on the map, click a simple prompt button, and instantly synthesise photorealistic alterations.
Within hours of its public release, researchers, journalists, and open-source intelligence analysts demonstrated that the software could be exploited to fabricate convincing satellite imagery of major crises, ranging from bomb craters surrounding any place to fake explosions in Paris, military encampments along borders, and damaged nuclear infrastructure.
Google Earth satellite mapping interface. Source: Universal Images Group.The tool drew intense criticism from digital safety organisations and conflict monitoring groups, including the London-based Centre for Information Resilience.
Critics warned that integrating AI-generated imagery into Google Earth severely threatens public trust in open-source intelligence and verified satellite data, an essential tool used by newsrooms, human rights investigators, and national security analysts to verify real-world atrocities and natural disasters.
Beyond spreading misinformation, cybersecurity experts highlighted a dual risk: the widespread knowledge that satellite data can be easily faked provides rogue actors and authoritarian governments a plausible alibi to dismiss genuine photos of real war crimes as AI-generated fabrications.
Although Google included digital watermarks and metadata tags to distinguish generated imagery, experts pointed out that such measures rarely stop viral misinformation when images are rapidly screenshotted and shared across social media platforms without context.
Google removed the 'create image' button and placed the capability on hold.
A spokesperson for Google acknowledged the risks, stating that the company suspended the tool while evaluating additional safety guardrails to prevent harmful misuse and preserve the integrity of its core mapping services.
