“Standard Quantum Vandalism”: Samvel Martirosyan on Azerbaijani Names in Yerevan Streets on Google Maps

This is not a new phenomenon; such things have happened and will continue to happen for years. One should not think that Azerbaijanis have some significant capabilities; this is standard quantum vandalism. This was stated by information security expert Samvel Martirosyan in an interview with Tert.am today, discussing the placement of Azerbaijani names next to the names of streets and buildings in Yerevan on Google Maps.

It was noted that Azerbaijanis have added addresses in the center of Yerevan named after their heroes on Google Maps. An Azerbaijani name has also appeared in the area of the village of Ptnug in Armavir.

“Google operates based on contributions from people, meaning that what we see on Google Maps is provided by individuals. Addresses are often posted from websites, but mainly created by people; almost all maps work this way. They have taken advantage of this; one person indicates that there is an area with that name, and then other users confirm it. After a certain number of confirmations, it appears automatically,” he explained.

Martirosyan noted that if the listed address is incorrect, people can file a complaint, and it may disappear. “The phenomenon is not beautiful; it is irritating and misleading because a person can go somewhere and not find the area on Maps. This is more a phenomenon of psychological pressure,” he added, emphasizing that during the wartime, Google had blocked the ability to make changes, but now that the war has ended, editing has been allowed again.