SynthID: Google Photos now watermarks images edited using gen AI tools

Google has long been using SynthID to watermark photos created using the generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI)-powered tool Imagen.

Now, Google Photos, which supports similar gen AI tools such as 'Reimagine' in Magic Editor will add SynthID to altered photos.

SynthID is developed by Google's DeepMind division, which also works on gen AI language models for Gemini AI. It comes with several nuanced technologies to ensure the artificial images are aesthetically good and not marred with noticeable marks that compromise visual beauty.

Further, the SynthID tool will ensure that even if the AI-generated image is edited with more layers of filters using other applications, will still not get erased or hide the digital watermark. The SynthID is deeply ingrained with the metadata of the photo and it cannot be erased.

Google's SynthID tool

Lately, there has been a surge in deepfakes wherein cyber crooks digitally alter videos and images of high-profile personalities in the field of politics and movies to bring disrepute to them.

Even with regular people, criminals create synthetic photos of ex-partners to blackmail. This causes huge setbacks in their field of work and lose their livelihood.

With SynthID-like watermark tools, it can help people and authorised security agencies control misinformation, catch the culprits and bring them to justice.

Google's SynthID is being rolled out in phases to the Photos app. It will take some time to reach all compatible phones worldwide.

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