This morning, every tech site on the planet reported that Google had purchased ICOA Inc., a provider of Wi-Fi hotspots across the country.
The source? This PRWeb post.
But there’s a snag…
Here’s Arik Hesseldahl at All Things D:
Sources at Google are denying reports that the search giant has acquired ICOA Wireless in a $400 million deal.
And CNET’s Shara Tibken:
According to a press release on PRWeb, Google bought WiFi provider Icoa for $400 million. The trouble is the press release isn’t real, according to Icoa.
The company’s chief financial officer, Erwin Vahlsing, Jr., told CNET in an email that the news is false. He didn’t provide any other information.
This is what happens when reporters rush to hit publish. Something this big deserves to be double checked before publishing.
At least, that’s what they taught us in journalism school. Silly college.