Google Maps Relabels Lake Ontario as Lake America for US Users
Google Maps now labels Lake Ontario as Lake America for users in the United States, following an update to the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). This change occurred after President Trump suggested renaming the lake.
Canadian users still see Lake Ontario, while everyone else, including users in Europe, sees both names.
Context:
- The GNIS, a federal database, updated its entries on August 27, 2026, prompting the change.
- Alphabet, Google’s parent company, confirmed the update in a statement.
- Other mapping platforms like MapQuest and Apple Maps have not followed suit, with MapQuest even creating a tool allowing users to invent their own names.
Regulatory Implications:
- This incident highlights the power of governments to influence global mapping services through their national naming databases.
- In the EU, Google Maps is classified as a very large online platform since April 2023, with obligations to assess and mitigate systemic risks, including those related to civic discourse and public security.
- While no European government has yet used its power to rename bodies of water in this way, the potential for such actions raises questions about the impact on map accuracy and user trust.
By Ana Maria Constantin