Google Maps says ISIL is located at the Russian Defense Ministry's TV station in Moscow

When searching for ISIL in Russian ("ИГИЛ") on Google Maps, the result is the Moscow office address of the television channel Zvezda, a national network run by the Russian Ministry of Defense. The likely culprit is Google's Map Maker tool, which it temporarily disabled earlier this year, after a series of vandalism acts. (According to Google, the Map Maker tool has been reinstated in Russia.)

In the past, Internet hoodlums have added a business listing for a snowboard shop at the White House's address in Washington, DC, labeled "Edward's Snow Den." In a less benevolent prank, someone managed to redirect any Google Map searches for "nigga house" to the White House. Some Map-Maker users were even able to upload cartoons of an Android logo urinating on an Apple logo, and a message reading, "Google review policy is crap," accompanied by a frowning emoji.

Since September 30, Russia has been conducting airstrikes against targets inside Syria. Moscow insists that its attacks are against ISIL strongholds, though Western governments and independent groups like Conflict Intelligence Team and Bellingcat argue that Russian warplanes are in fact bombing rebel groups engaged in fighting against Syrian troops loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.