Google temporarily shuts down Map Maker due to vandalism

Some one got bored one night. Now edits are down for everyone while the moderation system is changed.

Image at linked article...

After pranksters used Google Map Maker to draw an Android peeing on an Apple Logo and engage in other acts of spammy vandalism, Google has announced that it will temporarily shut down its online map editor while it rethinks its approval process.

But how did prank images get onto the real Google Maps? Doesn't Google have some kind of approval process? It does, but that process relies on trust. Map Maker edits are done in a sandbox, which users can use to test and save map drafts. When a new user saves an edit, it goes into a queue for manual approval. Once approved, an edit shows up on the public Google Maps and can be seen by everyone.

After a certain amount of approvals, though, active users become "trusted" and their map edits get auto-approved and fast-tracked to Google Maps.

I've never been to Pakistan, but I'm guessing no actual park is shaped like this.

Link

a reply to: roadgravel

Lol. Maybe Andy is a "first streamer"?

a reply to: Ultralight

Probably safe to bet it wasn't an Apple user. So much for trust.

a reply to: roadgravel

Why Pakistan, though?

a reply to: Ultralight

Cheap real estate available to purchase for a park? Wonder what it says about who did it.

a reply to: roadgravel

I'm betting Chernobyl or Fukashima has even cheaper property.

a reply to: roadgravel

Isn't it remarkable, Google has become a milti-billion $ company based on nothing but the work of others.
I wont weep to see it being kicked in the nuts occasionally.

Clearly this is the ISIS cyber attack we have been fearing

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originally posted by: GoShredAK
Clearly this is the ISIS cyber attack we have been fearing

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Good place to hide a signal to start an event.

It may be in response to the shambles Google themselves created when they shut down Classic Maps.
No one likes the new My Maps and they are pretty well un-useable.
Google just ignores the complaints on their Forum.
They deserve everything that is coming to them.
It wasn't me BTW.

Many web sites are being dumbed-down to the level of the least skilled users. It's the American way.