In 2012, a Burger King employee sparked outrage when he posted an anonymous photo online showing himself standing in two bins of lettuce, with the caption: “This is the lettuce you eat at Burger King.” The photo quickly went viral, and internet users jumped into action. Using the photo’s metadata and clues from the image, they tracked down the specific Burger King location within 20 minutes. As a result, the employee was identified and promptly fired by the restaurant.

The incident highlighted both the power of internet sleuthing and the serious consequences of compromising food safety standards in the fast-food industry. Burger King released a statement condemning the act, reassuring customers of its commitment to cleanliness and food safety. This case became a cautionary tale about social media’s reach and the swift repercussions of inappropriate behavior online.