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Apple Maps renames Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America’ for US users after Trump order
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Apple has renamed Lake Ontario as “Lake America” for US users of its Maps app following an executive order from President Donald Trump amid a trade dispute with Canada, while users outside the US still see the original name.
- Trump welcomed the change, declaring it “complete, ratified, and binding,” but the US cannot compel Canada or other countries to adopt the new name, which Canada’s prime minister rejected, citing Indigenous origins of the name.
- The renaming coincides with escalating trade tensions, including US tariffs on Canadian imports and Canadian retaliatory tariffs, although Trump framed the name change as honoring American heritage rather than referencing the dispute.
- Google Maps also adopted the “Lake America” name for US users, citing Trump’s order and US geographic naming conventions, while users outside the US and Canada see both names.
- MapQuest defied the order by refusing to change the lake’s name, posting a screenshot of Lake Ontario, which propelled the app to the No. 1 spot on Apple’s App Store in the US.
