Snapchat to watermark AI-generated images

Social media app Snapchat has announced it will add a watermark to AI-created imagery.

“[The watermark] will appear on images created with Snap’s generative AI tools when the image is exported or saved to camera roll,” the company said in a press release.

“Recipients of an AI-generated image made on Snapchat may see a small ghost logo with the widely recognized sparkle icon beside it. The addition of these watermarks will help inform those viewing it that the image was made with AI on Snapchat."

Snapchat has already rolled out out AI-powered tools for paying subscribers to alter or enhance images.

“We use contextual icons, symbols, and labels in-app to provide contextual transparency to Snapchatters when they’re interacting with a feature that is powered by AI technology,” the release reads.

“For example, when a Snapchatter shares an AI-generated Dreams image, the recipient sees a context card with more information.

Other features, like the extend tool which leverages AI to make a Snap appear more zoomed out, are demarcated as an AI feature with a sparkle icon for the Snapchatter creating the Snap.”

Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, announced in February it would begin labeling AI-generated images on its platforms, including content not created with its own AI tools.

Like Meta, Snapchat,announced AI image labeling is a response to political transparency concerns, a huge issue with the US elections later this year.

“We also take great care to vet all political ads through a rigorous human review process, including a thorough check for any misleading use of content, including AI to create deceptive images or content,” Snap said.