Apple, Google rename Lake Ontario ‘Lake America’ for US users after Trump’s order: Were they legally bound to comply?
Apple and Google updated their Maps apps for US users to show Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' after President Trump ordered the name changed in the US government’s GNIS database. Private companies are not legally bound by the order, and MapQuest kept “Lake Ontario.”
- Why it matters
- US-based tech companies that control the primary maps people navigate by chose to align their products with a government order that has no legal force on them, signalling how private platforms may treat informal presidential directives.
- Most affected
- US users of Apple and Google Maps — See Lake Ontario labeled as 'Lake America' on their devices' mapping applications.
MapQuest users in the US — Continue to see the lake labeled as Lake Ontario. - Likely next
- Whether other tech companies or mapping services follow Apple and Google's lead, and whether any formally challenge or reverse the change.
Also reported by: Ars Technica, BBC, UPI, Engadget, Daily Maverick, 9to5Mac, MacRumors, Nile Post, The Independent, Axios, Euronews, Mediaite