Google pulls McDonald's negative reviews over arrest in UnitedHealth murder
Google on Monday removed derogatory reviews about McDonald's MCD.N after the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson was arrested at its restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where police say a customer alerted a local employee about him.
The negative comments aimed at McDonald's were the latest in what is known as "review bombing," where an establishment is hit with a litany of bad reviews based on a political view or an occurrence unrelated to its actual business.
In this case, the negative and one-star reviews showed up after Luigi Mangione, 26, was captured at a McDonald’s in Altoona. He was spotted eating at the restaurant by a customer who alerted a McDonald's employee, state police said.
"These reviews violate our policies and have been removed," a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
The policy says that review contributions "should reflect a genuine experience at a place or business" and that "content that has been posted from multiple accounts to manipulate a place's rating" will be removed.
"This location has rats in the kitchen that will make you sick and your insurance isn't going to cover it," one review said.
The insurance executive's murder unleashed a wave of frustration from Americans who have seen their health insurance claims or care denied, faced unexpected costs or paid more for premiums and medical care - all trends that are rising, according to recent data.
Thompson, 50, was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel early on Wednesday morning by a masked man who appeared to wait for his arrival before shooting the executive from behind.
The suspect ran from the scene and then rode a bike into Central Park. Surveillance video captured him exiting the park and taking a taxi to a bus station in northern Manhattan, where police believe he got on a bus to flee the city. Police said Thompson appeared to be deliberately targeted.
The suspect was arrested after a five-day manhunt.
(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Sonali Paul)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
Liberal leadership: Freeland to announce bid within the next week
Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland will announce her intention to run for the Liberal party leadership just before the U.S. presidential inauguration, a source close to her campaign team says.
Icelandic discount carrier Play Airlines pulls out of Canada, leaving customers in dark
Play Airlines is pulling out of Canada less than two years after entering the market.
Singh calls on Canada to stop critical minerals exports to U.S. amid Trump tariff threat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the only way to deal with 'bully' U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and his looming tariff threat is to make him feel the 'pain' of Canada's retaliatory measures.
Hanging out at Starbucks will cost you as company reverses its open-door policy
If you want to hang out or use the restroom at Starbucks, you’re going to have to buy something. Starbucks on Monday said it was reversing a policy that invited everyone into its stores.
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Norovirus cases are rising in Canada. Here's advice from a doctor
Canadian health officials are reporting a rising number of cases of the highly contagious norovirus illness in Canada, warning that the elderly and young children are most at risk.
Queen Elizabeth II wasn't told about Soviet spy in her palace, declassified MI5 files show
Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t told details of her long-time art adviser's double life as a Soviet spy because palace officials didn’t want to add to her worries, newly declassified documents reveal.
Live grenade found among scrap metal in Kingston, Ont.: police
Police in Kingston, Ont. say a live grenade was found in a scrap metal container at a local waste facility this weekend.
Local Spotlight
'Thankful for the rest of my life': Woman's final goodbye with father captured on video at Winnipeg airport
One woman is expressing her deepest gratitude to the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport after the staff helped her retrieve the security footage of her final moments with her father.
Meet Franklin, the rescued tortoise who spent the last three months in a B.C. fridge
Franklin the tortoise has been in a fridge for the past 15 weeks.
'I didn't want to go cold turkey:' Environment Canada's David Phillips on why he keeps working after retirement
When Environment Canada Senior Climatologist David Phillips retired this past September, he wasn’t quite ready to call it a career.
‘People are excited’: Portion of Rideau Canal Skateway opens for the first time this year
A section of the Rideau Canal Skateway has opened for the first time this winter.
Vancouver strip club's X account suspended over cheeky marquee message
The marquee at The Penthouse strip club in downtown Vancouver is known for its edgy comments on politics and pop culture.
'One-of-a-kind' fire-breathing dragon sculpture takes over Winnipeg yard
A Winnipeg sculptor’s latest creation could also double as a house guard.
'Really unique': Ice core drilled by U of M scientist could unlock climate history
A Manitoba researcher was part of a historic research team that uncovered the oldest ice core ever retrieved.
'Loving each other, building memories:' B.C. couple facing life-threatening illnesses cherishes every day
Hayley and Bill Atkinson’s love story begins that night he abruptly left in the middle of playing a card game with friends, and didn’t return for a long time.
Long live the King: N.B. tribute artist to honour Elvis' 90th birthday with special performance
Though it has been nearly five decades since Elvis' death, his music and influence continue to inspire fans around the world, including tribute artist Thane Dunn of Moncton, N.B.