{
  "id": 4917003,
  "title": "Google Maps Lake Ontario backlash grows as MapQuest tops downloads",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/google-maps-lake-ontario-backlash-grows-as-mapquest-tops-downloads-4917003",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-01T18:36:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/future/technology/2026/09/01/google-maps-lake-ontario-apple-maps/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The decision of Google Maps to rename a lake in the US-Canada border region has sparked controversy and caused its mobile app to become the most downloaded in Apple's App Store. President Donald Trump's executive order prompted the company to label the lake \"Lake America\" in the United States, while maintaining the original name \"Lake Ontario\" for Canadian users. This move has caught the attention of MapQuest, a dominant navigation website during the early days of the internet, which has seen a surge in popularity. However, some experts advise caution, suggesting that the recent increase in traffic may be temporary. Google, the owner of Alphabet, defended its decision, stating that it follows its long-standing policy of labeling bodies of water based on data from the US Geographic Names Information System. Critics, including technology analyst Kara Swisher and entrepreneur Tom Herman, have expressed disappointment in Google's decision to comply with Trump's request.",
  "summary": "Backlash against Google Maps for its decision to rename a lake on the US-Canada border after an executive order from US President Donald Trump has continued to grow, with MapQuest shooting up the download charts. Last week, amid trade tension between the US and Canada, Mr Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario, which sits between the Canadian…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Handelsblatt",
        "title": "Amerika: Google Maps benennt „Ontariosee“ für US-Nutzer in „Lake America“ um",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/amerika-google-maps-benennt-ontariosee-fur-us-nutzer-in-lake-america",
        "published": "2026-08-31T09:41:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Economic Times",
        "title": "Why Canadians are seeing “Lake America” on Maps",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/why-canadians-are-seeing-lake-america-on-maps",
        "published": "2026-08-31T12:20:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Google Maps Lake Ontario backlash grows as MapQuest tops downloads",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/google-maps-lake-ontario-backlash-grows-as-mapquest-tops-downloads",
        "published": "2026-09-01T18:36:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Mac",
        "title": "Ford explains why it chose Apple Maps over Google for its new EVs",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/ford-explains-why-it-chose-apple-maps-over-google-for-its-new-evs",
        "published": "2026-09-01T23:33:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}