Google, Apple Rename Gulf of Mexico and Spark Controversy

Google and Apple have adjusted the naming conventions in their mapping applications, changing Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America and Mount Denali in Alaska to Mount McKinley, following executive orders issued by US President Donald Trump. While the name changes primarily affect the United States, they have already sparked diplomatic tensions.

Google confirmed that, after the US Geographic Names Information System renamed the Gulf of Mexico, it updated its Google Maps application. The app now displays three versions depending on the user's location: in the United States, it shows Gulf of America; in Mexico, it shows Gulf of Mexico; and in other countries, it displays both names. Apple made a similar update to its Maps app. For Apple users outside the United States, the name Gulf of America is displayed.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticized the decision, emphasizing that the name Gulf of Mexico is officially registered with the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), an institution that both the United States and Mexico are members of. She also announced her intention to send a letter and possibly file a civil lawsuit against Google for the name change.

The measure has also faced resistance from international organizations and companies. Encyclopedia Britannica stated that it would continue using the term Gulf of Mexico for several reasons: its global audience, most of whom are outside the United States; the Gulf of Mexico's status as an international body of water; the questionable authority of the United States to alter its name; and the fact that the name has been in use for over four centuries. Other mapping platforms, such as Bing Maps from Microsoft and Petals from Huawei, will also continue to use the original name.

The Guardian reported that Google has made name changes to locations involved in disputes before. For instance, outside of Japan and South Korea, the body of water between the two countries is labeled as the "Sea of Japan (East Sea)." In 2012, Iran threatened legal action against Google after the company removed the name "Persian Gulf" from its maps, leaving the waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula unnamed. The body of water is now referred to as the "Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf)" in other countries.