Google says it will change Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' in Maps after government updates

[xia@lemmy.sdf.org]

Wait... so... this was not a joke? They're serious?

[nomy@lemmy.zip]

Turns out evil is profitable.

[parrhesia@sh.itjust.works]

Does anyone know if Waze will warn you if there is an accident ahead and will redirect you?

[pinus_rigida@lemm.ee]

Google owns Waze

[idkwhatusernametoputherelolol@lemmy.dbzer0.com]

Step 1: Rename "South China Sea" to "'Murica Sea"

Step 2: ???

Step 3: 🪖️️

[rational_lib@lemmy.world]

Didn't we used to make fun of North Korea for this?

[parrhesia@sh.itjust.works]

Ahh boo that's right

[jonefive@midwest.social]

Gulf of the Americas

[11111one11111@lemmy.world]

If you are close enough to it for the name to have any relevant reference, you're just guna say Gulf anyway.

[brucethemoose@lemmy.world]

Google made an issue of this by officially commenting rather than silently conducting business as usual (which would be changing the name when the govt source does).

They're trying to have their cake and eat it, I guess? Apparently appease X viewers and Trump, while stating matter of facts that they are following usual procedure?

[trumpetx@programming.dev]

Time to stop using Google

[return2ozma@lemmy.world]

It'll warn you but not redirect you.

[p4ulin_kbana@lemmy.eco.br]

Could someone explain to me why are people irritated by this? I'm a foreigner.

[plasma@lemmy.ml]

Because it's a corporation bending over to the whims of a government trying to erase the name of a geographic place.

[rachelhazideas@lemmy.world]

I know it's not deliberate, but phrases like 'spineless pussies' are why women don't feel welcome on lemmy.

Is lemmy truly a left-leaning platform? Or is it yet another tech-bro circlejerk that cares more about the aesthetics of inclusivity? You all can't have your cake and it eat it too.

[cocodapuf@lemmy.world]

For what it's worth, this is how Google maps has always worked. Use Google maps in China and you'll notice that borders are in different places, HK, Tibet, the whole China sea, those are within China's borders. It's the same with Russia, Ukraine is just part of Russia if you use Google maps in Russia. If your country recognizes different borders or different names for places, that's what Google shows you in your country. It's basically either that or they can't operate in that country, so they don't really have a choice if they want to exist in that region.

[belgdore@lemm.ee]

Because the president should have no say in naming geographic locations that have long agreed upon names. And it’s a waste of money to have to replace all the maps and books with updated names.

There’s also no reason for Google to change anything. The US government has no power to make Google use this new name instead of the widely agreed upon name.

It’s a nod to the fact that if Trump says jump google will say “how high?” And no one with any sense likes that bigot.

[cocodapuf@lemmy.world]

That's an interesting theory, we may just test that out.

But I suspect that ten years from now, it's name will be whatever it's been saying on the maps. Just ask New Yorkers (sorry, I mean new Amsterdamers).

[cocodapuf@lemmy.world]

Yeah, I'm with you.

This timeline took a serious nosedive somewhere around 2015. I'm no longer sure think we're pulling out of it...

[cocodapuf@lemmy.world]

They did (in Russia).

The maps look different when viewed in different regions.