For centuries, people have relied on maps to figure out where they are and where they’re going. But today’s digital maps – seemingly more precise than ever – aren’t always as dependable as they appear.
At the end of August, for instance, Snapchat users woke up early to find the app’s internal map had renamed New York City with the anti-Semitic label “Jewtropolis”. In Washington, D.C., Google Maps incorrectly renamed a Senate office building after the late Senator John McCain a few days after his death on Aug 25. Researchers have found numerous fake business listings in Google Maps for plumbers and hotels – apparent attempts to game search results and juice referral traffic.