Apple Maps Renames Lake Ontario Amid Controversy

In a surprising move, Apple has updated the name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' on its web-based Apple Maps. This change, implemented on September 1, was spurred by an executive order from former President Donald Trump, who recently mandated the renaming of the lake.

Following suit, Alphabet's Google Maps also adopted the new name for its U.S. users. However, Canadian users will still see the traditional Lake Ontario, while users elsewhere will be greeted with both names, mirroring Apple's earlier response after Trump's renaming of the Gulf of Mexico.

This shift highlights the complexities of how U.S. tech companies navigate geopolitical tensions, particularly under pressure from government directives. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that a majority of Americans oppose Trump's push to rename the lake, which has been known by its historical name for over 400 years. Both Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have publicly rejected the name change, reinforcing the lake's longstanding identity.

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za