- Mapquest is refusing to comply with a presidential executive order to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America".
- Google has already updated its maps to reflect the name change for U.S. users, while Apple Maps has not yet updated the lake's name.
- Mapquest's defiance has led to a recent surge in downloads and renewed public interest in the company.
- Mapquest also unveiled a tool that allows users to download maps featuring their own custom names for the lake.
- Experts note the president's authority to rename the Great Lakes is limited and not binding on private companies or other nations.
Mapquest's refusal to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" has sparked renewed interest in the mapping service, with general manager Doug Berger noting a surge of "hundreds of thousands" of downloads since the announcement.128
In contrast, Google has already updated its maps for U.S. users, directing searches for the lake to the new name.345
Experts emphasize that the president's authority to rename the Great Lakes is limited and does not extend to private companies or foreign nations.91011
The U.S. president's naming authority applies only to federal maps and agencies, leaving companies like Mapquest free to maintain their own naming conventions.
Despite the political implications, Mapquest's stance has garnered attention, with many users surprised to learn the service still exists.
Launched in 1996, Mapquest was once the leading mapping site before losing ground to competitors. It was acquired by Verizon in 2015 and later sold to System1 in 2019.
The company has also introduced a tool allowing users to download maps with custom names for the lake, further emphasizing its commitment to user choice over political directives.
“Mapquest's defiance has driven 'hundreds of thousands' of new downloads, according to general manager Doug Berger, and the company unveiled a tool letting users download maps with custom lake names. Experts note the president's naming authority extends only to federal maps, not private companies or other nations.”
BBC
