Google Maps renames Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for US users after Trump's order; MapQuest refuses, gains top App Store spot

Google Maps has renamed Lake Ontario to 'Lake America' for U.S. users, following a directive from Trump. This change aligns with the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, as stated by Google. Users in Canada will still see the original name, while international users will see both.

The decision comes amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Canada, which have resulted in billions of dollars in tariffs on each other's goods. Doug Ford, Ontario's Premier, responded with a billboard declaring, 'Lake Ontario. Now and forever.'

In contrast, MapQuest has chosen to retain the original name, gaining significant traction as a result. Doug Berger, MapQuest's general manager, noted that their refusal to change the name was met with enthusiasm, stating, 'It’s made us realize, political stance or not, it’s what people want.' Over the weekend, MapQuest surged to the top of the App Store, welcoming hundreds of thousands of new users.

The app's cheeky rebellion against the name change has resonated with users, as many expressed their intent to switch from Google Maps to MapQuest. Berger emphasized the absurdity of the discourse over geographic names, stating, 'MapQuest being predominantly in the U.S. and Canada, we kind of think it’s crazy that there’s discourse over what to call things.' Meanwhile, organizations like the RCGS maintain that 'Lake Ontario is still Lake Ontario.'

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