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.
Mexico is suing Google for disregarding repeated requests to stop referring to the Gulf of Mexico as the "Gulf of America" for U.S. users on Google Maps.
Google is facing a landmark antitrust trial beginning Monday, as U.S. officials seek to break up the tech giant's dominance in the search engine market.
Google plans to appeal parts of a recent U.S. court ruling that found it had unlawfully maintained monopoly power in parts of the online ad market, specifically in publisher ad servers and ad exchanges, while the court dismissed other antitrust claims.
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Google illegally built monopoly power in its online advertising business, siding with the Department of Justice in a landmark antitrust case that could force the tech giant to break up parts of its empire.
China has dismissed the recent decision by Google to rename parts of the disputed South China Sea, which now labels maritime areas near the Philippines as the West Philippine Sea.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Türkiye is resolutely moving toward the goal of completely eliminating the terror problem from the national agenda, marking a significant milestone on the "Terror-Free Türkiye" path.
On May 12, the Baku Military Court resumed hearings in the case against Armenian citizens accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1993 occupation of Kalbajar.
On May 12, during an official visit to Bahrain, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held talks focused on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and exchanging views on regional security issues.
Latin American leaders deepened ties with China at the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing, highlighting growing economic and strategic cooperation as global power dynamics shift and China expands its influence in the Global South.
A long-awaited reunion is underway as the Red Cross takes custody of Israeli-American Edan Alexander, paving the way for his return home after weeks in Hamas captivity.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
For the first time in history, an American has been chosen to lead the Catholic Church, as Cardinal Robert Prevost is named pope.
A Rafale fighter jet operated by the Indian Air Force has reportedly been shot down for the first time in combat, according to sources cited by CNN, marking a significant and symbolic development in the ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan.
Pope Leo XIV made a surprise visit to the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano. AnewZ covered the event, with journalist Maria Rodriguez Abalde on-site. She witnessed the occasion firsthand and documented key moments. More images and footage will be available soon.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Türkiye is resolutely moving toward the goal of completely eliminating the terror problem from the national agenda, marking a significant milestone on the "Terror-Free Türkiye" path.
On May 12, the Baku Military Court resumed hearings in the case against Armenian citizens accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1993 occupation of Kalbajar.
On May 12, during an official visit to Bahrain, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held talks focused on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and exchanging views on regional security issues.
Kazakhstan’s Transport Ministry said Monday that the definitive report on last December’s Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2‑8243 crash near Aktau—an accident that killed 38 of 67 people—will be released only after lab tests and simulations are finished.
Azerbaijan and the European Union have deepened discussions on the development of the Caspian-Black Sea-Europe green energy corridor, a strategic project set to enhance energy connectivity and diversify supply routes between Central Asia and Europe.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that Türkiye is resolutely moving toward the goal of completely eliminating the terror problem from the national agenda, marking a significant milestone on the "Terror-Free Türkiye" path.
On May 12, the Baku Military Court resumed hearings in the case against Armenian citizens accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the 1993 occupation of Kalbajar.
On May 12, during an official visit to Bahrain, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov held talks focused on strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and exchanging views on regional security issues.
Latin American leaders deepened ties with China at the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing, highlighting growing economic and strategic cooperation as global power dynamics shift and China expands its influence in the Global South.
A long-awaited reunion is underway as the Red Cross takes custody of Israeli-American Edan Alexander, paving the way for his return home after weeks in Hamas captivity.
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