Google recently changed the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on Google Maps. The users however were not happy with the name change and they started posting negative reviews, and even reported the name change as incorrect.
Google has now started removing those negative reviews, according to a report published by Forbes. It has also disabled the option for users to suggest edits or report inaccuracies about the name change. The company says this is to prevent misuse of its platform.
A Google spokesperson explained that the company follows official government sources when naming locations. In the US, Google uses data from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). The GNIS was updated to include the Gulf of America after an executive order from former President Donald Trump.
Currently, only users in the US see the water body labeled as the Gulf of America. Users in Mexico can still see Gulf of Mexico. For users in other countries, Google Maps now shows both names: Gulf of Mexico as well as the Gulf of America.
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum is unhappy with the change. She has urged Google to reverse the decision and has even threatened legal action. She argues that the Gulf of Mexico has been its internationally recognized name for a long time.
Google has not commented further on whether it will reconsider the name change.
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