Apple Maps renames Lake Ontario as Lake America after Trump order
The iPhone maker follows rival technology giant Google in renaming the Great Lake.
Apple Maps has renamed Lake Ontario to Lake America, following a change made by Google Maps earlier. This change appears to be in response to an executive order signed by former US President Donald Trump in 2020, which directed federal agencies to use names that are "accurate, consistent, and not misleading." The order specifically targeted names that refer to geographic features that are not recognized by the US Board on Geographic Names.
The renaming of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes, to Lake America is likely to be seen as a nod to Trump's America First policy. However, it's worth noting that the name change may not be universally recognized or accepted, as the lake is widely known and referred to as Lake Ontario. The change highlights the influence that technology giants can have on the way we perceive and interact with geographic information.
As this story continues to unfold, it's worth watching to see how other technology companies and mapping services respond to the name change. Additionally, there may be further reaction from Canadian officials, as Lake Ontario is a significant geographic feature that borders both the US and Canada. The use of geographic names and the power of technology companies to shape our understanding of the world will likely continue to be a topic of interest and debate.
Originally reported by bbc.co.uk. MyNews adds analysis for general news readers.