Found by The Next Web, Google Maps showed Edward Snowden as hiding in the White House inside “Edward’s Snow Den” for a while earlier today. The story of it getting there is a case of some pranksters exploiting Google Maps’ business listings.
It appears that “Edward’s Snow Den” is actually verified by Google as a local snowboard shop, open 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily. Unfortunately, calls to the shop’s manager by The Next Web weren’t answered.
A clever Google Maps exploit by pranksters made it look like Edward Snowden was hiding in the White House for a while on 14/04/2015
The Next Web
The situation becomes a little more mysterious when you read the reviews of this completely normal snowboard shop. They include “Top notch info on the cheap! Would gladly support again.”
Sound suspicious? Well it is. Clearly “Edward’s Snow Den” is not actually a snowboard shop. Instead, it represents a clever exploit of Google’s verified locations.
These ordinarily ensure that business listings on Google Maps are accurate and correct. It means that you can rely on a shop being found where Google Maps says it will be, although perhaps not in this case.
The pranksters registered a fictitious business to represent Snowden’s name and got it approved by Google. With the first step complete and the shop showing on the map, all the pranksters had to do next was change the address of the premises — to the White House.
A clever Google Maps exploit by pranksters made it look like Edward Snowden was hiding in the White House for a while on 14/04/2015
The Next Web
The result is the amusing screenshot you see above. Unfortunately, if you were wanting to view the spectacle of Snowden in the White House yourself, you no longer can.
Google has hastily cleaned up the embarrassing incident and deleted all of the reviews on “Edward’s Snow Den.” The business has mysteriously lost its verification and as of writing this article Edward Snowden no longer appears to be taking tea with Barack Obama.
