In the past year, Google Maps was deleting all the reviews for dozens of ICE jails, a new study found.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/72605263

While they’re not as common as reviews for cafes and dry cleaners, reviews have poured into Google Maps by the thousands for the growing network of jails operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The reviews have come from internet users sharing their often harrowing experiences in the detention facilities.

Google then purges these reviews and blocks the ability to write new ones, according to newly published research.

  • CerebralHawks@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    3·
    5 days ago

    Are they? I mean, is it exclusive to ICE?

    There’s a prison near me that had some hilarious reviews. Mostly talking about the free room and board but the shitty staff behaviour.

    Nobody’s looking at reviews of jails and prisons because they’re considering doing business with them, so those reviews are really just for fun.

    I did see one where a guy was talking about doing time there.

    I don’t really think that’s what Google Maps is for, though. There are inmate and ex-inmate forums and I’m sure Google isn’t censoring those.

    To be fair and to avoid bias, is there some other kind of thing that shouldn’t really be reviewed, but most reviews on it are jokes, that Google has left up?

    • CubitOom@infosec.pubOPMEnglish
      3·
      5 days ago

      I could argue that “reviews” like this could be an airing of grievances or a way to communicate what is happening inside to the outside world and local community these concentration camps are in.

    • isleepinahammock@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      2·
      5 days ago

      I remember seeing similar hilarious reviews of the Harris County Jail about a decade ago or so. One that stuck in my mind was, “the staff was so rude. They almost acted like I did something wrong!”

      But checking now, they seem to be gone. Looks to be a widespread purge of jail reviews.