Tech Report: Error On Google Places Problematic For Businesses

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - A glitch in Google Places has some companies that are open for business appear as if they're permanently closed on Google Maps.

Google Maps has a feature called Crowd Sourcing which allows a user to report a closed business.

KCBS' Technology Analyst Larry Magid said while it's a wonderful way to let your fellow Google Maps user know that a restaurant or business isn't there any more, the system's been abused.

KCBS' Technology Analyst Larry Magid:

"Perhaps competitors, perhaps pranksters. Whoever they are, someone will report a business closed even though it's open, and that business disappears from Google maps."

Magid said unfortunately the glitch is costing money.

"It's a great inconvenience to customers and especially the businesses."

"When this happens to businesses they kind of disappear from the map, literally, and they lose business," he said.

Magid added that Google is going to fix the problem, although he's not yet sure what the company will do.

You can hear Larry Magid's Tech Report Monday through Friday at 3:50pm on KCBS All News 740AM and 106.9FM.

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