In a bizarre tech glitch, the official White House switchboard number briefly appeared as “Epstein Island” on some Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones, according to a Washington Post report.
The issue surfaced when Washington Post journalists tried to contact the White House earlier this week.
The glitch was discovered incidentally while reporters were seeking details about an event hosted by First Lady Melania Trump featuring a humanoid robot. A spokesperson later confirmed her outfit for the event.
While the calls connected to the correct number, reporters noticed that the caller ID label displayed “Epstein Island” instead of “White House” on certain Android devices.
“It was not a wrong number. That’s what the phone displayed,” the Washington Post reported, highlighting the unusual naming error.
Interestingly, the glitch appeared limited to Android devices, while iPhone users reportedly saw no name attached to the number.
Google blames ‘fake edit’
After being alerted, Google acknowledged the issue and attributed it to a “fake edit” made on Google Maps.
The incorrect label was briefly picked up by the caller ID feature on some Android phones.
Google spokesperson Matthew Flegal said the edit violated company policies and was promptly reversed. The user responsible has since been blocked from making further changes.
Following the fix, calls to the White House switchboard now display only the phone number without any label.
White House responds
A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that the caller ID issue was external and not linked to any internal systems.
Experts have long warned that malicious edits can manipulate how businesses appear on Google Search, Maps, and caller ID systems.
Similar incidents have previously involved fake customer service numbers for airlines and banks, as well as altered names of schools and local businesses.
The Washington Post noted that it remains unclear how long the incorrect label was active or how many users may have encountered it.
The term “Epstein Island” refers to Little St. James in the Caribbean, once owned by Jeffrey Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while facing sex trafficking charges.
US President Donald Trump has previously said he was acquainted with Jeffrey Epstein in social circles, but the two parted ways in the mid-2000s. He has maintained that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s alleged criminal activities.
