Should You Trust Google’s Nano Banana AI Saree Trend Online?
Gemini Nano Banana saree trend spreads fast. But is uploading photos safe? Experts say watermarking alone may not protect your data.
image for illustrative purpose
A month after Google rolled out its Gemini Nano Banana AI tool, the internet has been swept up in a new wave of viral experiments ranging from 3D figurine portraits to a saree-themed Instagram trend. Alongside the frenzy, experts and officials are flagging privacy and security risks tied to the craze.
The Gemini Nano tool, powered by Google’s Gemini model, first gained traction with users converting selfies into stylised figurines featuring glossy textures and amplified facial features. Building on that momentum, a fresh trend called the Banana AI Saree has emerged on Instagram, where ordinary photographs are transformed into 1990s-style Bollywood portraits. These AI-generated images often depict chiffon sarees, cinematic settings and vintage filters.
Google says all outputs from its Gemini 2.5 Flash Image system include invisible SynthID watermarks along with metadata tags to identify AI-generated content. The company’s documentation notes that the watermarking is meant to improve transparency. However, tools to detect these marks are not yet publicly available.
Cybersecurity specialists caution that watermarks are not foolproof. Wired recently cited Reality Defender CEO Ben Colman as saying such identifiers can be manipulated or removed, limiting their effectiveness. UC Berkeley professor Hany Farid added that watermarking may support detection efforts but cannot serve as a standalone protection.
V.C. Sajjanar issued a warning urging people to be cautious while engaging with the Nano Banana trend. Posting on X, Sajjanar said sharing images and personal details on unofficial platforms could expose users to scams. He stressed that once sensitive data is uploaded to fraudulent websites, recovery becomes difficult and financial losses may follow.
Experts advise internet users to take preventive steps before experimenting with viral AI tools. Recommendations include refraining from uploading personal or sensitive images, removing location data and tightening privacy settings on social media accounts. Limiting the sharing of AI-generated images across platforms can further reduce misuse risks.
