Google Photos Rolls Out SynthID Watermarking to Identify AI-Edited Images

Google has introduced a significant update to Google Photos, embedding SynthID—an invisible watermarking technology developed by Google DeepMind—to flag images edited with AI tools within the app. Announced on February 7, 2025, and reported by Forbes, this feature aims to increase transparency by marking AI-modified content, such as images altered with Google’s “Reimagine” tool. Users can check an image’s “About this image” section to see if it contains a SynthID watermark, indicating AI manipulation.

The rollout addresses the growing challenge of distinguishing real from AI-altered visuals, especially as generative AI becomes more sophisticated. While SynthID effectively tags edits made within Google Photos, it currently cannot detect modifications from external AI tools, and minor edits—like tweaking a small detail—may evade detection. Google’s move has been praised for promoting accountability, though some experts note it’s a partial solution to the broader deepfake problem. The company plans to expand SynthID’s capabilities in future updates, potentially integrating it with other platforms.