Google Maps Sparks Controversy with Gulf of America Name Change

Google Maps has officially updated the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, marking a significant shift in geographical nomenclature. The change occurred on Monday, aligning with Google's policy of reflecting naming differences as mandated by local governments. This decision follows President Donald Trump's executive order, issued on the day of his inauguration, to rename the Gulf. The update affects international users who will see both names, whereas Mexican users will continue to view it as the Gulf of Mexico.

The name change is consistent with Google's approach to adapting its services according to governmental directives. In January, Google announced its compliance with the executive order once the United States' Geographic Names Information System was updated. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook were present at Trump's inauguration, with both companies contributing $1 million each to the inaugural fund. Despite this, Apple has not yet reflected the name change in its Maps app, and searches for "Gulf of America" yield no results.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed discontent with Google's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico. She plans to send a letter to Google questioning this move, which she perceives as undermining historical nomenclature. The Gulf of Mexico has been known by its current name since the 16th century, a fact that Sheinbaum believes should not be disregarded.

President Trump has framed this renaming as part of a broader initiative to "restore American pride in the history of American greatness." This gesture is symbolic of his administration's effort to assert American identity on a global scale. However, the decision has sparked controversy and debate over the implications of altering long-standing geographical names.

Senior writer Amanda Silberling from TechCrunch, who covers technology and culture, notes that this change by Google is not a unilateral decision. Rather, it is a response to an executive order, highlighting the complex intersection between technology companies and governmental policies.