File this under this is why we can t have nice things.
Google is temporarily shutting down Map Maker after it was forced to apologize last month over a Google Maps edit that showed an Android robot peeing on an Apple logo.
Starting tomorrow, Map Maker — which allows for theoretically useful public edits of Google Maps — will be closed for business as all the edits on the service are manually reviewed.
The most recent incident was particularly troubling and unfortunate — a strong user in our community chose to go and create a large scale prank on the Map, Pavithra Kanakarajan, on behalf of the Google Map Maker team, wrote in a product forums post Friday. She said the team has seen escalated attacks over the past few months.
The peeing Android robot was spotted on a map of Pakistan. It has since been taken down, but if you really must see it for yourself, here s a link to one of the many news stories about it in April.
A couple of other recent notable Maps edits, pointed out by Search Engine Land and Marketing Land: Edward Snowden placed in the White House as Edwards Snow Den. And fake listings for the FBI and Secret Service.
Above: Screen grab from Map Maker.
