Digital expert mappers in Google’s Local Guides program said they flagged hundreds of policy-breaching edits on Google Maps involving Cambodia’s sacred sites, cities and border towns.
Google said it had removed some after tensions with Thailand spiked in May, but more than half remain, according to the Cambodia-based group’s self-published report.
The 27-page report, released Saturday, logged 568 infractions across 18 provinces in Cambodia since a border clash with Thailand in May that escalated into a bloody five-day conflict nearly two months later, with tensions persisting after a ceasefire.
Offenses included fake locations, harassment of public figures, territorial disinformation, attacks on cultural sites and manipulated business ratings.
The group said most of the edits came from low-level contributor accounts in Thai script and, after a 51-day review, it concluded the activity appeared to be part of a coordinated campaign.
Google’s Asia-Pacific communications manager, Jac Cheok, said in an email to CamboJA News that the company had removed policy-violating edits, without giving a figure, and put preventive measures in place while continuing to monitor the situation.
Google Maps’ policy uses a combination of automated checks, community reporting, business verification and manual reviews to maintain accuracy of locations and eliminate objectionable content.
As of September 6, 60% (341) of the original 568 infractions remained active on the platform, with 227 locations removed, according to the Local Guides.
Border provinces, particularly Koh Kong and areas where fighting occurred in Oddar Meancheay, Preah Vihear, bore the brunt of the targeting, which included harassment and offensive location names, the report said.
Ngeth Moses, a digital security consultant, said the issues have received little attention from authorities or the public because the edits are often highly technical.
He recommended the government set up a working group to monitor location changes, the Local Guides continue updating their report, and Google provide dedicated support for Cambodia.
Chy Sophat, a digital security expert and member of the Local Guides community, said his team sent the report to Google on Saturday. Google acknowledged receipt but did not immediately confirm any action.
He added that the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications thanked the group and used the report as evidence in ongoing discussions with Google.
“From what we have received from the ministry, I hope they take further action and involve our community in meetings with Google,” Sophat said.
The Local Guides said that some of Cambodia’s most sacred landmarks, including the National Museum and Royal Palace, were targeted by editing accounts during this period of heightened territorial tensions with Thailand.
An online information war among users from both countries has coincided with rising tensions between the neighbors since the border conflict, including instances of harassment, nationalistic messaging and misinformation.
Pen Bona, a government spokesperson, declined to comment, saying the issue was too technical and referring reporters to the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
Liv Sophanarith, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, did not respond to requests for comment by phone or Telegram.
Source: https://cambojanews.com/cambodia-sites-targeted-in-google-maps-edits-digital-expert-report-says/
