Apple and Google Lake Ontario backlash grows as MapQuest tops downloads

Backlash continues against Google and Apple for renaming Lake Ontario in the US as "Lake America" following an executive order from President Donald Trump. Apple's MapQuest app has become the top-downloaded app, capitalizing on the controversy. Despite MapQuest's initial resistance, it now boasts the highest download count on Apple's App Store, outpacing other popular apps.

MapQuest's CEO expressed satisfaction with the surge in popularity, stating "The people have spoken." However, some experts warn that the increased traffic may be temporary. Google's decision to adopt the new name aligns with its policy on name variations, which is influenced by the US Geographic Names Information System. While Trump supporters welcomed the update, critics accuse Google of capitulating to the president's whims.

One tech analyst likened Google's actions to "acting like quislings" to Trump's "senior moment lunacy." A local mayoral candidate also questioned why Google would change the name to appease a single executive order, suggesting that it could set a precedent for other elected officials to rename geographic features at their discretion.