Google investigating strange trees

Stinky Journalism goes into the detail of how this poor attempt at cloning in Photoshop could be very damaging to the reputation of Google Maps - issues of accuracy and trust etc.

The prospect of well done, difficult-to-detect photoshopped photos taking over Google Maps – as opposed to the amateurish tree cloning exhibited in the golf course – is a real potential threat.

A Google spokesperson has reportedly commented that “We’re aware that there seems to be an anomaly in our imagery and are working to determine what happened.”

Google, quite rightly, need to respond in such a way to assure everyone that they have sufficient levels of trust in their data providers and are able to identify and deal with a third party supplying them with inaccurate or poor quality imagery.

The rest of us just need to remember our common sense and intelligence. If you are relying on third party information for something important then, whether that third party is Google or a bloke in the local pub, remember to check the facts.

Found via GIS Lounge.