Florist accused of hacking rivals' details on Google

WEB OF ACCUSATIONS: Napier florist Kendra Drinkwater is accused of changing the website details of Flowers by Tanya in Hastings and other florists.

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A florist is facing a possible prison sentence after allegedly changing her competitors' details on the Google Maps website.

Google says it is the first report of "editing with ill intent" in New Zealand and is warning business owners to register as the verified owner to stop others hacking their details.

Napier florist Kendra Drinkwater, 40, has been charged with using the Google search engine to dishonestly, and without claim of right, cause loss to seven Hawke's Bay florists.

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. The charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.

Anyone who uses Gmail or has a Google account can access the "edit" details. People can have multiple Gmail accounts.

Police allege Drinkwater accessed the sites, using various names, including Kendra, Dale, Gil, Qin.M, Larry and John, and giving her location as Canada, UK and China.

She allegedly altered addresses, phone numbers and website details of businesses, in an apparent bid to divert potential customers.

The owner of Flowers by Tanya in Hastings, Richie Davies, said it was frightening how easy it was to alter details. It was a matter of simply clicking "edit" on the company's details on Google Maps.

Mr Davies said he had called Drinkwater once he and other florists had found out it was occurring. They thought Drinkwater may have been the culprit after someone logged on using her first name.

"I asked her to apologise and to stop altering the details. She claimed she'd had her details changed too. That's when I went to the police.

"There's no way of telling how great an effect it has had on our business. People have to know how easy this is for someone to do. It's just so scary."

Emma McIlroy, of Napier store Florist Gump, alleges Drinkwater changed the website details of her business to floristgimp.co.nz.

"It's been very frustrating. All the florists around here get on. We're in the middle of a recession, we need all the business we can get."

Wellington Internet expert John Clegg, who has developed software applications for Google Maps, said he was surprised how easy it was to edit the details. It was common behaviour in India, where he had worked some years ago.

"This sort of thing will become increasingly common here as things get more competitive. I would advise anyone with a business to go and check they are the registered owners with Google. Anyone thinking about breaking the law this way should be aware that it is very easy to track."

Bill Crane, operations manager of the police electronic crime laboratory, said it was the first case of its kind he had come across.

Drinkwater is due in Napier District Court this month.

BUSINESS OWNERS SHOULD CLAIM LISTINGS

Google spokeswoman Annie Baxter says reports of editing with ill intent were the first heard of in New Zealand.

"Most people editing Google Maps are updating information that they know to be out of date in order to help fellow users."

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.

Ms Baxter said all 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 you claim your listing, a verification process is followed to ensure it is the legitimate business owner who is doing so.

- © Fairfax NZ News