Users on social media have uncovered a controversial use case for Google’s new Gemini 2.0 Flash model, which appears capable of removing watermarks from images—often from prominent sources such as Getty Images and other major stock media providers.
Last week, Google expanded access to Gemini 2.0 Flash’s image generation feature, which not only creates images from scratch but also allows for native editing of existing image content. While the feature is labeled “experimental” and “not for production use,” it has quickly drawn attention for its ability to remove watermarks by intelligently filling in the gaps left behind. Users on platforms like X and Reddit have demonstrated that the model can erase watermarks, effectively reconstructing the underlying image.
Despite similar functionalities available in other AI-powered tools, Gemini 2.0 Flash appears to perform exceptionally well at this task—and notably, it is free to use via Google’s developer-facing tools such as AI Studio. However, the model is not without limitations; it struggles with semi-transparent watermarks and those that cover large portions of an image.
The ease with which Gemini 2.0 Flash can remove watermarks has raised concerns among copyright holders. Unlike Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet or OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which explicitly refuse to remove watermarks and warn that doing so is “unethical and potentially illegal,” Google’s Gemini model currently lacks strict usage restrictions in this area.
As the debate over digital content protection continues, copyright advocates warn that unrestricted access to such powerful editing capabilities may lead to increased infringement and misuse of copyrighted material, further complicating the legal landscape for content creators. Meanwhile, developers and users are left to navigate the fine line between innovation and ethical use of emerging AI technologies.
Google is reportedly preparing to collaborate with Taiwan’s MediaTek on the next generation of its AI chips—its Tensor Processing Units—set to be produced next year, according to a report by Information citing people involved in the project.
OpenAI is urging the Trump administration to grant AI companies an exemption that would allow them to train their models on copyrighted material—a move it argues is crucial for maintaining America's leadership in artificial intelligence.
The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday abandoned its proposal that would have forced Alphabet’s Google to divest its investments in artificial intelligence companies, including rival Anthropic, as part of its broader antitrust case aimed at curbing Google’s alleged illegal search monopoly.
Google has open sourced SpeciesNet, an artificial intelligence model designed to automatically identify animal species from photos captured by camera traps.
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled that Google’s refusal to allow Enel’s JuicePass app access to its Android Auto platform constitutes an abuse of its dominant market position, siding with Italy’s antitrust authority.
EU ministers vowed on Monday to explore ways to save Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after U.S. President Donald Trump cut its funding, but warned that replacing U.S. support would not be easy.
International donors at a European Union-led conference in Brussels pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) on Monday to support Syria’s new authorities, who are grappling with humanitarian and security crises following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
A U.S. spy drone withdrew from near Iranian airspace after being intercepted by Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones, Iran’s Nournews reported on Monday, citing the country's Army Air Force.
Germany’s constitutional court has rejected last-minute legal challenges to a €500 billion ($546 billion) infrastructure fund proposed by conservative leader Friedrich Merz.
A deal that could reshape Ukraine’s borders—Donald Trump is pushing for a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin, suggesting land concessions and nuclear plant control may be on the table.
The inside of a Herculaneum delicate & ancient scroll, unseen for nearly 2,000 years, has been revealed using Artificial Intelligence.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
Regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan process, we cannot forget the years of occupation, and we will not forget them, President Ilham Aliyev said in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 12th Global Baku Forum.
President Donald Trump has vowed to respond to the European Union's counter-tariffs, escalating tensions over the U.S. steel and aluminum duties that have sparked a trade dispute between the two economic powers.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
Iranian opposition figure Mehdi Karroubi will be freed on Monday, ending 14 years of house arrest following his protests against the 2009 election results. His political ally, former Prime Minister Mirhossein Mousavi, is also expected to be released in the coming months.
Germany pledged €300 million in aid for Syrians, focusing on food, healthcare, shelters, and protection. The funds will support those in Syria and refugees in neighboring countries. Foreign Minister Baerbock stressed the need for political inclusion and accountability.
During an informal phone conversation on Saturday, the presidents of Russia, Belarus, and Tajikistan—Vladimir Putin, Alexander Lukashenko, and Emomali Rahmon, respectively—gave a call to their Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, according to the Kremlin.
The interim government in Damascus will attend an international conference on Monday in Brussels to seek aid pledges for Syria, which continues to face significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political future following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.
EU ministers vowed on Monday to explore ways to save Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) after U.S. President Donald Trump cut its funding, but warned that replacing U.S. support would not be easy.
International donors at a European Union-led conference in Brussels pledged €5.8 billion ($6.3 billion) on Monday to support Syria’s new authorities, who are grappling with humanitarian and security crises following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
A U.S. spy drone withdrew from near Iranian airspace after being intercepted by Iranian F-14 fighter jets and reconnaissance drones, Iran’s Nournews reported on Monday, citing the country's Army Air Force.
Germany’s constitutional court has rejected last-minute legal challenges to a €500 billion ($546 billion) infrastructure fund proposed by conservative leader Friedrich Merz.
A deal that could reshape Ukraine’s borders—Donald Trump is pushing for a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin, suggesting land concessions and nuclear plant control may be on the table.
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