We now know that the Google Photos magic eraser does not give full powers to its user. Certain modifications are in fact prohibited by the application, in particular those which would allow malicious individuals to usurp someone’s identity. We list all the restrictions found within the functionality.
The magic eraser is undoubtedly the flagship tool of Google Photos. Being able to modify any photo, or even now the audio of videos, with just a few movements of the thumb, is enough to make the major software programs in the industry pale – to the delight of uninitiated users. Especially since the more time passes, the more versatile and powerful the tool becomes, to the point that we might wonder what its limits are. Rest assured, there are some.
Indeed, it is not possible to do everything and anything with the magic eraser. By digging into the Google Photos code, our colleagues at Android Authority spotted some restrictions that the Mountain View firm took care to integrate into its functionality. As one might imagine, these are primarily security issues. Impossible, for example, to modify an identity card photo stored on your smartphone.
On the same subject — Google Pixel: the magic eraser is now available on all iOS and Android smartphones
Google Photos will stop you if you try to edit these images
The same applies, generally, to all administrative documents containing personal information, such as a person’s name, address or photo. Furthermore, you will not be able to modify a person’s physical attributes with the application. If you try the devil, you will be greeted by a pop-up alert telling you that the modifications are contrary to the Google Photos T&Cs.
These T&Cs are part of a more global objective for the firm, which seeks to prevent its tools from being used for malicious purposes, in particular identity theft. Likewise, the application refuses to use AI to create personal information from scratch. However, this safety net is not 100% effective. Android Authority indicates that it was able to modify an invoice, which should not normally have been possible.
Source: Android Authority