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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.