Is Google’s Nano Banana AI Safe? Viral 3D Figurine Trend Raises Questions on Privacy and Security

Google’s Gemini-powered Nano Banana AI has gone viral, letting users transform photos into lifelike collectible-style figurines. From celebrities to pets, the trend has taken over Instagram, X, and Facebook. But as its popularity grows, many are asking: is Nano Banana safe to use?

What Is the Nano Banana Trend?

Nano Banana is a quirky nickname for Gemini’s “Nano” model variant combined with an internet-coined “Banana.” The hashtag #NanoBanana has exploded across platforms, where users upload selfies, celebrity photos, or anime characters to generate figurine-style images complete with toy-like packaging.

The tool is accessible through Google AI Studio and the Gemini app, though free users may face daily usage limits.

How Figurine Creation Works

Users upload a photo and type in a prompt—like:

“Create a 1/7 scale figurine of the characters in the picture in a realistic style, placed on a computer desk with toy packaging.”

The more detailed the prompt, the more realistic the output. Fans have already generated figurines of football stars, superheroes, and even pets. Google, however, advises caution when using copyrighted or sensitive content.

Safety Features: Invisible SynthID Watermarks

A major highlight of Nano Banana is SynthID, Google’s invisible watermark technology. Unlike visible watermarks, SynthID embeds a hidden signal directly into image pixels, detectable only with specialized tools.

This helps:

• Verify content origins when shared online
• Prevent misuse in misinformation and deepfakes
• Maintain authenticity for journalism, marketing, and education

By integrating SynthID, Google balances creativity with accountability, making Nano Banana more reliable than most free AI tools.

Privacy and Data Protection

Google assures users that:

• Uploaded images are processed securely on its servers
• Data isn’t automatically used for AI training without consent
• The tool complies with global privacy standards such as GDPR (Europe) and CCPA (US)
• This means user photos and creations remain private unless permission is explicitly granted.

Beyond Figurines: What Else Can Nano Banana Do?

Nano Banana isn’t limited to toy-like 3D models. Users can also:

• Edit images by adding or removing objects
• Merge multiple photos into one
• Create stylized retro looks, like 16-bit video game characters
• Availability may vary by country depending on local AI regulations.

Verdict

Nano Banana combines viral fun with built-in safety. With invisible SynthID watermarks ensuring traceability and strong privacy protections safeguarding user data, the tool is one of the safest mainstream AI image generators to date. Still, experts advise avoiding sensitive uploads and respecting copyrights while experimenting.