Google Maps renames Lake Ontario 'Lake America' in US, but not Canada

Google Maps has changed the name of Lake Ontario to "Lake America" for users in the US. This change was made in line with the US Geographic Names Information System (GNIS), the official federal database for geographic names, according to Le Monde English and Global News. The lake, which spans the border between the US and Canada, will still be labeled as Lake Ontario for users in Canada.

The change has sparked controversy, particularly amid ongoing trade tensions between the US and Canada. According to Fortune, the decision was prompted by a change in the official US government geographic naming system. Users outside of the US and Canada will see both names displayed, with Lake Ontario listed and Lake America in parentheses, as reported by Global News.

Other map providers have not made the same change. MapQuest will not change the name in its products, and Apple Maps is currently displaying the body of water to US users as Lake Ontario, Fortune reported. The Canadian Prime Minister and the Governor of New York have rejected the new name, Fortune and Ajel English reported.

Brief written by urgent.news from Le Monde English, Fortune, Ajel English, Global News, New Straits Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.