Google Opens SynthID Detector to the Public Worldwide

Google has opened SynthID Detector to the public. The tool checks whether an image, video or audio file was produced with AI. Google announced the global rollout on Thursday, 8 October 2026, with English as the first supported language. SynthID works by placing an invisible watermark inside AI-generated media at the moment of creation. The Detector reads this watermark and tells you whether the file came from Google's AI models or from a participating partner. OpenAI, NVIDIA and Kakao have joined the programme, and Google says Apple will join soon. Google reports watermarking more than 180 billion images and videos so far, plus 240,000 years of audio. An earlier version of the Detector launched last year for journalists and media professionals only. The public version sits alongside verification features already built into Google Search, the Gemini app and Chrome. According to Google, those built-in checks now handle more than 1 million requests every day. There are limits. The Detector only recognises content from Google and its partners. A fake image made with a tool outside this group will not carry a SynthID watermark, so a negative result does not prove a file is real. Treat the Detector as one check among several, not a final verdict. For businesses, the main value is trust. Scammers use AI images, cloned voices and fake videos to pose as suppliers, executives and customers. A quick check before you act on a suspicious voice note or product photo adds a layer of protection. Brands using AI for ads and product visuals also gain a clear, verifiable record of which assets are AI-made. In Nigeria, fraud through WhatsApp voice notes, doctored product photos and fake video calls hits small businesses every week. Global research from BioCatch reported a 35 percent rise in bank scam attempts over the past year. Build verification into your team's routine. Check unusual audio or video requests for money, confirm through a second channel before paying, and label your own AI-generated marketing content. For businesses across Africa selling online, open disclosure of AI use is fast becoming part of good customer service.