Google Maps exposes Edward Snowden’s hideout in the White House

In an unlikely turn of events, Google Maps is showing Edward Snowden as residing in the White House, within “Edwards Snow Den.”

No, this isn’t a sign that the whistleblower and US administration are in cahoots – it’s the result of someone cleverly changing the location of a business listing after it had gone live on Google Maps, as Marketing Land first spotted.

As well as providing laughs, the prank actually exposes a flaw in Google Maps’ managing of local listings.

The location, which is seemingly verified by Google and classified as a snowboard shop (open 5am – 11pm daily), has five reviews that declare it as a “great source of classified information” and somewhere to get “top notch info on the cheap.”

Unfortunately, I couldn’t speak to the Den’s proprietor – all my calls to the listed phone number went unanswered.

While the listing is still viewable, you can be sure that Google is working hard to remove Snowden from the White House.

➤ Google Maps Shows Edward Snowden In The White House [Marketing Land]