Florist apologises to online victims

A florist has admitted changing competitors' details on the Google Maps website, telling police "it became an addiction".

Kendra Drinkwater, 40, appeared in Napier District Court yesterday.

She pleaded guilty to six charges of accessing a computer system for dishonest purposes. The charges replaced one earlier charge of dishonestly, and without claim of right, causing loss to the businesses.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

It was Google's first report of "editing with ill intent" in New Zealand. Google has warned business owners to register as the verified owner to stop others hacking their details.

Drinkwater, who runs Napier Florist from her home in the suburb of Maraenui, has been charged over accessing the search engine on dozens of occasions between November 1 and December 4.

On 100 occasions she edited the details of six competitors. She told police "it became an addiction" and she had done it in a bid to make her florist business the only one customers could contact.

The other florists soon worked out who had been responsible as she had used the name `Kendra' to make the first edits. Police were called in when she continued to make edits despite being asked not to.

She altered addresses, phone numbers and website details.

Drinkwater, a mother of two, who will be sentenced next month, told The Dominion Post she regretted her actions and had written a letter of apology to all her victims before Christmas.

"Of course I'm sorry. I was silly. I have handwritten letters to them all [victims] apologising sincerely. I wish I could turn back the clock but I can't," she said.

"I have learnt from my mistakes and I have no intention of doing it again."

She said her reputation was "shattered" and her business had suffered because of publicity about her crime. "It's affected my life hugely".

The owner of Flowers by Tanya in Hastings, Tanya Koens, was one of her victims. Ms Koens said she was prepared to forgive Drinkwater and wished her the best. "I hope this is the end of it."

Anyone with a Google account can edit business information on Google Maps, such as correcting the location on the map if it is in the wrong place, or updating a phone number.

Business owners should "claim" their listing in Google Maps, which allows them to edit and update their own business information and prevent others from doing so.

When a listing was claimed, a verification process was carried out.

- © Fairfax NZ News