Google removes a torrent of negative McDonald's reviews flooding its search engine after a fast food worker in Altoona, Pennsylvania, reported Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, to police did.
The one-star reviews occurred during an episode of “review bombing,” where users leave large numbers of unrelated negative reviews for establishments related to political issues.
“These reviews violate our policies and will be removed,” a Google spokesperson told the Post.
McDonald's did not respond to a request for comment.
Google reviews say a 26-year-old suspect was arrested by police at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania after a five-day manhunt thanks to a customer who alerted a McDonald's employee, who then called 911. Announced.
Some of the reviews survived removal and remained on Google as of Tuesday.
One user wrote, “Looks like Narc Donald…I hope obesity and heart disease spreads in the network in Pennsylvania too.”
He also referenced the ominous message left on the bullet used to kill Thompson, adding: “Deny it, defend it, stand down, Diarrhea @McDonalds.”
The words “deny,” “banish,” and “defend” in the bullet points are similar to a 2010 book criticizing the medical industry.
Shortly after news of the arrest emerged, other users wrote reviews claiming rats were running rampant in the restaurant's kitchen.
Google's policy is that reviews must be based on actual experiences at the location.
Google told The Post that the search engine has placed additional protections on McDonald's profile to prevent further off-target reviews.
After the killing of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive, hundreds of disgruntled Americans expressed their anger at the insurance industry, and the internet quickly flooded with jokes and congratulatory posts.
Medical and insurance companies quickly wiped down their websites and removed executives' personal information.
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, one of the nation's largest health insurers, quickly reverses controversial plan to deny some anesthesia coverage claims after online outcry did.
Mr. Thompson, 50, a United Healthcare executive, was shot and killed by a masked man outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan on December 4, police said.
The CEO was on his way to the annual investor conference, leaving behind his two sons.
Police said the suspect fled the scene through an alley, then jumped on an electric bike and headed north toward Central Park.
Surveillance footage showed the suspect taking a taxi to the Port Authority bus stop, and police believe he boarded the bus to flee the city.
