On Friday, Alphabet Inc.’s (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Google said that it was temporarily disabling its AI image generator after users shared AI-generated images that appeared to violate the company’s policies.

Google Earth AI Feature Put on Hold

The tool, powered by Google’s Nano Banana 2 AI model, allowed users to create photorealistic images based on Google Earth’s satellite, aerial and 3D imagery.

Users could enter text prompts to generate altered or imagined scenes at locations around the world.

Google said the feature had shown promise for professional use but also raised concerns about how the technology could be misused.

"We’ve seen geospatial professionals using this feature for a range of useful purposes," Google said in a post on X. "However, we’ve also seen people sharing screenshots of generated imagery that appear to violate our policies."

The company said it was pausing the capability while developing stronger safeguards.

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Fake Landmark Images Raise Misinformation Concerns

The feature drew criticism because it could place fictional events or objects into recognizable locations, potentially making fabricated scenes appear authentic, Reuters reported.

Images generated by the tool were not displayed in the main Google Earth experience and were labeled as AI-generated. However, the company did not specify what types of images prompted the decision or which policies may have been violated.

Tech Companies Face Growing AI Safety Scrutiny

Google is not alone in revising AI features after public backlash. In July, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META) discontinued Muse Image, a tool that allowed users to generate images involving public Instagram accounts.

The feature faced criticism over privacy concerns, including objections from a Hollywood union.

Price Action: Alphabet Inc.’s Class A shares closed at $356.13, up 6.73%, while Class C shares finished at $356.65, gaining 6.88%, with both stocks edging higher in premarket trading, according to Benzinga Pro.

According to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings, GOOGL ranks in the 87th percentile for Quality. While the stock has underperformed in the short term, it has maintained a strong price trend over the medium and long term.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

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