GOOGLE has announced a policy change allowing users to manually remove visible watermarks from media generated by its AI models, while still maintaining mandatory invisible tracking technologies like SynthID and C2PA metadata. This feature will be rolled out gradually within the Gemini service and Google Flow video editor. The change aims to provide creators with greater flexibility while ensuring content traceability.
The policy addresses complaints from creators about visible watermarks hindering creative workflows. Although visible watermarks can now be removed, Google emphasizes the importance of invisible markers for tracking AI-generated content, especially in regions with strict regulations like the EU and South Korea. The shift reflects a broader industry trend towards prioritizing invisible anti-forgery mechanisms for better authenticity measures.