Why You Should Think Twice Before Joining Google Gemini's Viral Nano Banana AI Trend

In the age of viral AI trends, Google Gemini's Nano Banana, also known as the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image model, has taken social media by storm, enabling users to effortlessly edit photos, create 3D figurines, blend images, and generate nostalgic visuals like Polaroids with celebrities. While the tool offers unprecedented creative freedom and has garnered millions of downloads, experts and users alike are raising alarms about its potential downsides. As AI image generation becomes more accessible, understanding the risks associated with the usage of these tools is crucial to protect your privacy, security, and well-being.

Here are a few reasons why you should step back, pause, and think before jumping on the trend bandwagon.

1. Privacy Breaches and Data Vulnerabilities

One of the primary concerns with Nano Banana is the handling of uploaded personal photos. When users submit images, such as selfies or family pictures, for editing, they may inadvertently expose sensitive data. Google's policies allow free uploads to potentially contribute to AI training datasets, unless users opt for paid plans and explicitly choose to exclude their data. This could lead to unintended data leaks if security breaches occur, putting personal information at risk of exploitation by cybercriminals.

Here's How To Create Gemini AI's Viral Trend Of 'Polaroid-style Images With Celebrities', Quick Guide:

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In worse scenarios, the AI might inadvertently reveal hidden details embedded in photos, such as metadata containing location data, timestamps, or even reflections that disclose private environments. Reports from users indicate 'creepy privacy breaches' where the tool has exposed unintended personal elements during edits. Such vulnerabilities could result in doxxing, where malicious actors piece together a user's identity, address, or routines, leading to real-world harassment or stalking.

2. Identity Theft and Fraudulent Exploitation

The ease of generating hyper-realistic images heightens the risk of identity theft. Scammers could use Nano Banana to create convincing fake IDs, passports, or profiles by altering uploaded photos. For instance, blending a user's face with fraudulent documents might facilitate financial scams, loan applications, or unauthorised account access.

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Women on Boat Photography Try this Edit 🪄

Step 1. Open Google Gemini ai
Step 2. Select your Photo
Step 3. Write Prompt 👇🏻

Prompt:

A Hyper-realistic 8k portrait of a young woman [use same face as uploaded photo] sitting barefoot on the edge of a rustic boat in calm blue… pic.twitter.com/8HBOeQDXBV

— Shreya Yadav (@ShreyaYadav___) September 14, 2025

Moreover, the tool's ability to maintain facial consistency in edits makes it a potent weapon for impersonation. Cybercriminals could generate images of individuals in compromising situations, leading to blackmail or extortion schemes. Experts warn that sharing AI-edited personal images online amplifies these dangers, as fraudsters can harvest them for phishing attacks or catfishing on dating platforms.

3. Deepfakes and Misinformation Spread

Nano Banana's advanced editing capabilities, such as blending multiple photos or applying styles, open the door to deepfake creation. Users might innocently experiment, but malicious actors could produce deceptive content that spreads misinformation, such as fabricated celebrity endorsements, political scandals, or altered news events. This could erode public trust in media, influence elections, or incite social unrest.

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On a personal level, deepfakes generated with the tool might be used for revenge porn or cyberbullying, superimposing a person's face onto explicit or harmful content. Although Google embeds invisible SynthID watermarks and visible indicators to mark AI-generated images, these can sometimes be cropped out or bypassed, allowing fakes to circulate undetected and cause reputational damage, job loss, or legal battles for defamation.

4. Ethical and Legal Pitfalls

Ethically, Nano Banana blurs the line between reality and fabrication, potentially leading to misrepresentation. For example, creating Polaroids with celebrities without consent could violate image rights or lead to accusations of false association. Legally, users risk copyright infringement by editing or blending copyrighted images, such as those of public figures or branded content, resulting in lawsuits or content takedowns.

Additionally, the tool's viral trends encourage mass sharing, which might normalize unethical practices like non-consensual edits of others' photos. This could foster a culture of digital harassment, where altered images are used to mock or bully individuals online.

5. Psychological and Societal Impacts

Beyond tangible threats, Nano Banana poses psychological risks. The addictive nature of trends like AI sarees or 3D figurines can lead to excessive screen time and body image issues, as users obsess over "perfect" edited versions of themselves. Blurring the distinction between real and AI-generated content might also contribute to a broader societal distrust, making it harder to discern truth in everyday interactions.

gemini made the dream come true...kinda 👽 pic.twitter.com/GAlTj6FxDu

— rohi. 🦢 (@srksrohina) September 14, 2025

In extreme cases, over-reliance on such tools could exacerbate mental health problems, such as anxiety from fearing deepfake victimization or depression from comparing one's life to fabricated ideals. On a societal scale, widespread misuse might undermine artistic integrity, devaluing human creativity in favor of AI-generated content.

Safety Recommendations to Mitigate Risks

To safely enjoy Nano Banana, experts recommend using non-personal or anonymised photos, stripping metadata before uploads, and avoiding sensitive content. Always add clear disclaimers when sharing AI-generated images, and opt for paid plans to control data usage. Regularly review Google's privacy policies and report suspicious outputs. Remember, while the tool includes safeguards like watermarks, user vigilance is key to preventing harm.

While Google Gemini's Nano Banana unlocks exciting creative possibilities, the stakes include privacy invasion, identity theft, deepfake proliferation, legal troubles, and psychological strain. Approach with caution, think before you upload, and prioritise safety over virality. If you've experienced issues, consider consulting privacy experts or reporting to relevant authorities.