Google Maps is being used to advertise illegal services

Google Maps is one of the most popular mapping applications in the world. In addition to providing location and travel data, the tool helps businesses promote their brands with place tags. These tags appear when users search for related keywords and are only removed if requested by the account owner or complained by many other users.

However, because they are easy to set up, Google Maps tags are being exploited to provide illegal services in Vietnam. For example, typing in the keyword "bookie" will give users a series of results about tags related to betting and gambling in the area. These addresses are marked along major streets, and the description includes a link to an online casino site.

Not only gambling, Google Maps also suggests locations with tagged names of prohibited items, such as "laughing gas" and "cockfighting". Some even have 5-star reviews with comments praising the quality of the products. These locations also contain links to livestream or online sales pages with detailed quotes and ordering instructions to avoid investigation by authorities.

At a press conference on October 5, Mr. Le Quang Tu Do, Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information - Ministry of Information and Communications, said that he had noted the feedback about the name tag not being displayed correctly on Google Maps.

According to him, there are two main options to resolve violations. First, if the violating service provider is tagged with a real address, local management levels and authorities will be responsible for checking and handling the poster. In cases where illegal content cannot be removed directly because the parties are anonymous or use fake addresses, the Ministry of Information and Communications will receive feedback to request Google to remove the tag on the map application.

Google representatives have not yet commented.

This is not the first time Google has encountered problems providing information about places in Vietnam. On July 11, Google Earth Pro did not display the image of the Vietnamese ceramic flag on Truong Sa Lon Island. In response to user reactions, a Google representative explained that this was an image error and that the company "did not attempt to blur or alter satellite images provided by third-party partners." On July 18, another image was replaced, clearly displaying the Vietnamese flag on the satellite image.