Google's Gemini 2.0 Flash Sparks Controversy Over Watermark Removal
Google's latest AI model, Gemini 2.0 Flash, has stirred controversy after users on social media demonstrated that it can easily remove watermarks from images, including those from renowned agencies like Getty Images, according to a report by TechCrunch.
Google recently introduced Gemini 2.0 Flash’s image editing features for developers. While the model can generate and edit images, concerns have emerged regarding its lack of necessary safeguards. Unlike other AI models such as Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet and OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which outright reject requests to remove watermarks, Gemini 2.0 Flash appears to be capable of doing so.
However, the model is still labeled as "experimental" and is only available through developer tools like AI Studio. It is not yet fully effective at removing all types of watermarks, especially semi-transparent or large-sized ones.
Under U.S. copyright law, removing a watermark without the owner’s consent is considered illegal. Google has yet to comment on the matter.
