Google Maps users hijack restaurant reviews to sneak HIDDEN messages to Russians

IN AN act of defiance against Vladimir Putin, Google users are leaving fake reviews of Russian restaurants to share news from Ukraine.

Posts on Google Maps are being used to circulate tales and photographs from the frontline of the Kremlin’s brutal invasion and encourage Russians to stand up to their “lying” leader.

SOPA Images/LightRocket via GettNetizens are using Google Maps to share news from Ukraine with Russians[/caption]

GoogleA fake Google review of a cafe in Moscow[/caption]

The idea was shared to Twitter on Monday by the hacking group Anonymous as a way to bypass Russia’s state censorship.

The cyber collective wrote on Twitter: “Go to Google Maps. Go to Russia. Find a restaurant or business and write a review.”

They added: “When you write the review explain what is happening in Ukraine.”

The tweet quickly gained traction, garnering more than 24,000 Retweets and 79,000 Likes.

Under the post, Anonymous shared some sample text in Russian for people to include in their phoney reviews.

A translated version reads: “The food was great! Unfortunately, Putin spoiled our appetites by invading Ukraine.

“Stand up to your dictator, stop killing innocent people! Your government is lying to you. Get up! google “Kyiv” and putler [sic] and share it with all people in Russia.”

In response, users on Twitter shared screenshots of their own reviews left on Google’s popular mapping tool.

One left on the Google page for Grand Cafe Dr. Zhivago, a famous fine-dining restaurant in Moscow, read: “Russia is invading the Ukraine unprovoked; displacing and killing civilians and lying to you its citizens.”

The establishment saw an influx of Google reviews on Tuesday, some with photos attached of destruction in Ukraine, CNET reports.

Another said: “In Ukraine is war. Everyday people die. Putin lies and shows your propaganda. Don’t believe him.”

Russia’s large-scale military invasion has so far taken the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian civilians as shelling and rockets rain down on the country’s towns and cities.

While the merciless attacks have hit headlines around the world this week, in Russia, the story being told to residents is a little different.

State-controlled TV and newspapers have touted the Kremlin’s phoney line that military action is being directed away from densley populated areas to reduce casualties.

Moscow’s tight moderation of social media has meant that citizens are not exposed to content that may paint their leaders in a bad light.

It’s leaving Russians – many of whom are aware of and oppose the war, as demonstrated by mass protests across the country – with a skewed view of what’s happening across the border.

Efforts are being made to reach them through Google reviews and other means to ensure they have a clearer picture.

It’s part of a wave of cyber campaigns being waged against Russia in a bid to hamper its operations at home and abroad.

Earlier today, Anonymous claimed that it had shut down Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos, taking away control of its spy satellites.

The group said last week that it had successfully shut down more than 300 Russian websites and offered troops over $53,000 to give up their tanks.

The moves came after the notorious international hacking collective declared war on Putin’s war machine in response to a call to arms from the Ukrainian government.

Volunteers from the country’s hacker underground are helping to protect critical infrastructure and conduct cyber spying missions against Russian troops, according to Reuters.

Reviews encourage Russian readers to stand up to Putin

In other news, the mystery surrounding why prehistoric Brits built Stonehenge has finally been solved after research confirmed that the monument served as an ancient solar calendar.

In other news, the iPhone’s virtual assistant, Siri, is getting a new, “gender-neutral” voice.

A British woman has told of her horror after scammers used photos of a “silver fox” politician to trick her out of £80,000.

And, Norfolk County Council is suing Apple over what it says was misleading information about iPhone sales.

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