Google Maps Renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' Amidst Outrage

Google Maps has come under fire for changing the name of Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming the lake. The move, which follows souring trade talks between the US and Canada, has sparked outrage among users who argue that it erases Indigenous history and disregards Canadian sovereignty.

The change was made by Google Maps on Saturday, citing its policy of following official government sources when updating place names on the platform. In this case, the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) formally changed the name, although it still appears as Lake Ontario in Canada.

For users in the US, the lake will be referred to as 'Lake America', while those in Canada will continue to see it as Lake Ontario. Users elsewhere will see both names, with 'Lake America' in parentheses. The change has been met with widespread criticism on social media, with many accusing Google of being complicit in Trump's efforts to erase Indigenous history and undermine Canadian sovereignty.

Google's decision to change the name has also raised questions about the company's commitment to neutrality and respect for cultural heritage. As one user commented on Google's blog post, 'You must be ashamed' of this move, which is seen as a betrayal of the values that Google claims to uphold.