Popular Mapping Service Vandalized to Rename New York City ‘Jewtropolis’

Whatever mapping service that Snapchat, CitiBike, StreetEasy, (perhaps others) use — it seems — is showing New York City as “Jewtropolis” this morning. pic.twitter.com/nsVe8goLyo

— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) August 30, 2018

The popular mapping service Mapbox, which is used by Snapchat, StreetEasy, Citi Bike, and the New York Times, was hacked today to rename New York City “Jewtropolis” — an obvious antisemitic slur.

Screenshots of the slur quickly spread across social media and ultimately resulted in at least one company who uses the app admitting to “vandalism.”

When the social media app Snapchat was asked by one Twitter user about the disturbing hack, they responding by saying, “Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Snap Map relies on third party mapping data which has unfortunately been subject to vandalism. We are working with our partner Mapbox to get this fixed immediately.”

Hi Corey. Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Snap Map relies on third party mapping data which has unfortunately been subject to vandalism. We are working with our partner Mapbox to get this fixed immediately.

— Snapchat Support (@snapchatsupport) August 30, 2018

Many Twitter users responded with outrage and disgust toward the act of antisemitic vandalism:

Idk, doesn’t “Jewtropolis” strike you as a little racist, @Snap ? pic.twitter.com/rWXZa56Nvg

— nathan etc (@itsnathannow) August 30, 2018

On Snapchat’s Snap Map, New York City appears as “Jewtropolis.” A screenshot I just took: pic.twitter.com/rAlPXjjLOd

— Hamza Shaban (@hshaban) August 30, 2018

@CitiBikeNYC Is this supposed to be a joke or have you been hacked? Only seen at a certain zoom level. #Jewtropolis ?! pic.twitter.com/FFoISdpWZ6

— Donna (@sweetclafoutis) August 30, 2018

[image via screengrab]

Follow the author on Twitter (@calebecarma).

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!