OpenStreetMap Reports Data Vandalism From Google-Owned IPs 178
An anonymous reader writes "Following reports of misconduct by Google employees in Kenya and India, It has been found that Google IP addresses have been responsible for deliberate vandalism of OpenStreetMap data. While it is unlikely that this was a deliberate or coordinated attack by Google HQ on the competition, multiple such reports does raise the question of whether or not Google has become too big to effectively enforce its 'Don't be evil' philosophy across its massive organization."
this, and then that other thing... (Score:5, Insightful)
Do no evil? (Score:4, Insightful)
raise the question of whether or not Google has become too big to effectively enforce it's 'Do no evil' philosophy across its massive organization.
Do not confuse a marketing slogan for a philosophy.
Re:this, and then that other thing... (Score:5, Insightful)
In other words it could have been.
An honest mistake.
Of course what really bugs me about all of this is that when people talke about the 3 strikes law I hear people say time and time again... IP addresses are not identity.
IP addresses can be spoofed as can mac addresses.
Re:Cheap publicity stunt--admin who found evidence (Score:5, Insightful)
...without approaching Google at all...
Good point. Fairness would be to first ask google for a position, maybe it was indeed just a rogue individual, or a mistake or whatever.
but then comes the first question: how would one actually accomplish this feat, i.e. to "approach" google. Complaint addresses are exceedingly difficult to find, and those that are there don't seem to be manned. So it seems to me, the only solution does indeed be to skip the "let's discuss this first" step, and go directly to the press. Google, if you don't like this, then please become more "approachable", and people will approach you before badmouthing you in public.
Re:Warning (Score:2, Insightful)
They stalk you because you are loved.
But let's be honest, looking at your post history, one would expect you to insert a Google bash here.
Re:Warning (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:this, and then that other thing... (Score:5, Insightful)
Note –Steve Coast founded OpenStreetMap.
Re:this, and then that other thing... (Score:5, Insightful)
Thank you. The hypocrisy around here is large, but not surprising.
Does Google offer guest Wi-Fi access at any of their locations? Does anyone in Google run a Tor exit node? Are there any live jacks in Google meeting rooms? Do they NAT multiple internal addresses?
It's one thing to confirm suspicions by setting up a honeypot phone number like Mocality did, and then receive calls from people identifying themselves as being from Google. It's quite another to only point to an IP addresses and place blame with no further evidence.
The psychosis of Slashdot (Score:2, Insightful)
Just to be clear, you're criticizing the fact that you believe someone will post something well thought-out and sourced with links. The horror!
Notice how the very first post to this negative story on Google is a defensive, accusatory post intended to distract people from the story by turning everyone against anyone who will be critical of Google. You don't like the position someone will take on Google, and so that automatically means they're a troll and you get modded up? That's stupid.
The moderation system has broken down. My karma has suffered from "shill" accusations because I, too, have posted things critical of Google in the past and had this same anonymous person track all my posts. The new psychosis seems to be that you are not allowed to criticize anything Google-related or else anonymous accusers call you a shill, and enough moderators go along with it to filter you off the site.