Users on social media have uncovered a controversial application for Google’s new Gemini AI model: removing watermarks from images, including those from Getty Images and other major stock media providers.
Last week, Google broadened access to its Gemini 2.0 Flash model’s image generation feature, which allows for native image creation and editing. While this capability is powerful, it appears to lack sufficient safeguards. Gemini 2.0 Flash can create images of celebrities and copyrighted characters, as well as remove watermarks from existing photos.
Several users on X and Reddit pointed out that Gemini 2.0 Flash not only removes watermarks but also attempts to fill in any gaps left by their removal. While other AI tools perform similar functions, Gemini 2.0 Flash seems particularly adept at it—and it is available for free.
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It’s important to note that the image generation feature of Gemini 2.0 Flash is currently labeled as “experimental” and “not for production use,” accessible only through Google’s developer tools like AI Studio. The model is not a flawless watermark remover; it struggles with certain semi-transparent watermarks and those that cover large areas of images.
Nonetheless, some copyright holders are likely to take issue with Gemini 2.0 Flash’s lack of usage restrictions. Other models, such as Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, explicitly prohibit watermark removal, with Claude describing it as “unethical and potentially illegal.”
In the U.S., removing a watermark without the original owner’s consent is generally considered illegal under copyright law, barring rare exceptions.
Google did not respond immediately to a request for comment submitted outside of regular business hours.
SOURCE: TECH CRUNCH
