Deepfake satellite images can easily be created and used to create misinformation and disinformation, according to a University of Washington research study.

The aim, author Bo Zhao told The Verge 'is to demystify the function of absolute reliability of satellite images and to raise public awareness of the potential influence of deep fake geography.'

As part of their study, Zhao and his colleagues created software to generate deepfake satellite images, using generative adversarial networks ('GANs'), and then created detection software that was able to spot the fakes based on characteristics like texture, contrast, and colour.

Per PetaPixel, the authors simulated their own deepfakes using Tacoma, Washington as a base map and placed onto it features extracted from Seattle, Washington and Beijing, China. The high rises from Beijing cast shadows in the fake satellite image while the low-rise buildings and greenery were superimposed from the urban landscape found in Seattle.

The authors warn false satellite images could be used to create hoaxes about natural disasters, support disinformation, or mislead geo-political foes.