In the Google Maps service, the ability for users to leave comments about locations and objects in Russia has been restored, according to observers from RocketData who reported the development on a Telegram channel. The restoration appears to reflect a broader adjustment in how user reviews are handled in the region, with investigators noting that new postings can be published again on business profiles after a period of restrictions. The recovery of this capability aligns with ongoing efforts to restore normal user feedback mechanisms in certain markets while Google continues to balance safety, reliability, and authenticity in its listings. [Source: RocketData Telegram channel]
Experts note that starting from April 11, reviews and ratings for places were republished on Google business cards. In practice, this means that a Russian Google account can once more leave a review for a listing, and those opinions may reappear on the corresponding business page after undergoing any necessary moderation or auditing steps. This development suggests a renewed emphasis on giving users an avenue to share experiences that businesses and customers rely on when making decisions. [Source: RocketData Telegram channel]
The situation for the region has been shaped by prior policy choices. Since March 2022, posting new reviews in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine had been unavailable. Google took this action to mitigate the risk of misinformation and to prevent non-business-related content from appearing in relation to commercial listings. The measure was part of a broader effort to maintain the integrity of map data while navigating regional regulatory and information-security concerns. Over the intervening period, user-contributed reviews did not appear publicly for these markets, and new ratings did not surface on business profiles. [Source: RocketData Telegram channel]
Throughout the year, the flow of new reviews on Google Maps in these areas remained paused. The absence of fresh user feedback meant that readers often encountered a quiet period on listings, with existing reviews continuing to influence perceptions without the counterbalance of new opinions. Audits and moderation processes continued to operate behind the scenes to ensure that content aligned with platform policies and local rules, even as visibility to the public was temporarily constrained. [Source: RocketData Telegram channel]
From late February 2022, there were reports that Google Maps operations in Ukraine were limited in real-time data transmission. In particular, some live features that depend on current conditions, such as traffic overlays, were temporarily suspended. The Live Busy function, which shows current activity levels for various businesses, was also disabled during this period. These steps reflect the complexity of delivering live, location-based information in environments experiencing disruption, while still striving to provide a useful user experience overall. [Source: RocketData Telegram channel]
The broader message from Google during this interval emphasized that the platform did not alter certain preset mapping configurations related to sensitive installations. In April 2022, Google formally stated that it would not adjust the general settings for Russian military facilities within the Maps app. This stance indicates a careful approach to balancing public-interest information with policy considerations about safety, privacy, and regional stability. [Source: RocketData Telegram channel]