Google is getting flak for changing Lake Ontario's name to Lake America

Aug 31, 2026 12:02 PM - 1 hour ago 7

A representation labeling Lake Ontario arsenic "Lake America" is displayed arsenic U.S. President Donald Trump speaks aft signing an executive bid during an arena successful the Oval Office of the White House connected August 27, 2026 successful Washington, DC

Google Maps has changed the sanction of Lake Ontario for American users. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Google Maps changed Lake Ontario's sanction for its American users, and the net is not happy.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario, which straddles the Canadian and US border, to Lake America. The US Geographic Names Information System formally changed the sanction of the h2o body.

On Sunday, Google said it updates Maps based connected charismatic authorities sources, meaning US users would spot "Lake America" while Canadian users would spot "Lake Ontario."Users extracurricular these 2 countries would spot "Lake Ontario (Lake America)."

The backlash to Google's alteration was swift.

Some users connected X called the alteration "pathetic" and an lawsuit of Google "distributing misinformation." Another said it showed really anemic Google was, pinch really it "bows down to" Trump. Another much imaginative X personification called the instrumentality "Google Craps."

The alteration besides sewage immoderate blowback from Canadian politicians.

Stephen Crawford, a personnel of Ontario's provincial parliament, said immoderate Canadian government websites displayed "Lake America" because they propulsion representation information from Google Maps, an rumor the state is fixing. Canadian business news outlet BNN Bloomberg reported that Metrolinx, the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area's nationalist transit network, was among them.

"Some Ontario authorities agency websites propulsion representation information straight from Google Maps. Following caller changes by Google, we're actively reviewing our websites to make judge they each place Lake Ontario by its correct name: Lake Ontario," Crawford said successful his Sunday post.

Crawford added successful his post, "As Ontarians, we will ever guidelines up for our province, our personality and the places that specify it."

When Business Insider checked Metrolinx's website connected Sunday evening, the reservoir was branded Lake Ontario.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford reposted Crawford's post, adding: "Make nary mistake: Lake Ontario is and ever will beryllium Lake Ontario."

In consequence to a petition for remark from Business Insider, a Google spokesperson said that website developers who embed Google Maps connected their tract tin prime a region to localize the map, which determines really spot names are displayed.

"'Lake Ontario' will show erstwhile developers person group their region to Canada," the spokesperson said.

On the different broadside of the aisle, the Google Maps alteration was welcomed by Trump supporters connected X, who lauded the platform.

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Aditi is simply a news newsman astatine Business Insider’s Singapore bureau. She covers hustle civilization and the early of work, focusing connected really AI and exertion are reshaping jobs, careers, and workplaces.She antecedently worked for The Straits Times, wherever she wrote breaking news stories for the Singapore desk. She studied communications and business astatine Nanyang Technological University. 

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