{
  "id": 6474001,
  "title": "Popular navigation apps unlikely to ditch Mercator maps despite UN resolution",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/popular-navigation-apps-unlikely-to-ditch-mercator-maps-despite-un",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-09T17:11:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ars Technica",
    "slug": "ars-technica",
    "url": "https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/un-correct-the-map-resolution-wont-change-mercator-map-use-in-navigation-apps/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On September 4, a recently passed United Nations resolution aimed at promoting more accurate world maps that better represent the true sizes of continents garnered overwhelming support from member countries. The African-led proposal received 164 votes in favor, with six countries abstaining and only the United States opposing the resolution, deeming it a \"radical ideological project.\"\n\nThe resolution, while non-binding, encourages governments, schools, international organizations, and technology companies to adopt equal-area maps, such as the Equal Earth projection, when the relative size of landmasses is important. It also advocates for educating people about the inherent trade-offs associated with representing a spherical Earth on a flat map.\n\nDespite the UN's call to action, the widespread use of 16th-century Mercator maps in popular navigation apps remains largely unaffected by the resolution.",
  "summary": "UN-backed Equal Earth map has educational value but won’t alter navigation apps.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}