Google restores Albanian business profiles after coordinated review attack

Google removed a flood of one‑star reviews that had been posted to dozens of Albanian business listings during a short‑lived coordinated online campaign. The company responded to a request from the Albanian State Police, deleted the fraudulent reviews and returned the listings to their pre‑attack average ratings and review counts.

The incident, which sparked debate on the influence of organized internet campaigns on digital reputations, temporarily lowered the online scores of the affected businesses before the restoration. Google’s action reinstated the prior reputation of the businesses and highlighted concerns about coordinated manipulation of online platforms.