Is that image you’ve been sent real, or has it been generated by AI? It’s a question many of us will be asking in the coming years, but WhatsApp is testing a feature that might help.
WABetaInfo is reporting that the latest beta of the Android apps includes something known as ‘Search images on the web’. As the name suggests, it will allow users to do a reverse image search for any photo they’ve been sent on the app.
Screenshots from WABetaInfo show a new ‘Search on web’ option within the three-dot menu once you’ve tapped on an image. This will then allow you to search Google using it and find out where the image originated or if it’s genuine.
WABetaInfo
As generative AI adoption becomes widespread, some people are using tools to create fake images that are almost indistinguishable from reality. With the technology continuing to rapidly progress, these dupes are only likely to become even more convincing.
Fake images are already being used to spread disinformation via social media, so it’s not out of the question for someone to WhatsApp you an image that isn’t real, either by mistake or on purpose.
Of course, reverse image searching is nothing new. It’s been available within Google for many years, but this new feature simplifies the process.
Currently, you have to save the image to your gallery, then head to Google Lens and select it. That’s time-consuming and adds unnecessary clutter to your image library, so the new feature should make it easier to spot those AI fakes.
WABetaInfo says the feature is “rolling out” to the 2.24.23.13 beta of the WhatsApp Android app. Assuming testing is successful, it’s likely to be available to all Android and iPhone users in the not-too-distant future.
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