25 votes

Google Maps now shows the 'Gulf of America' for US users

32 comments

  1. [12]
    tanglisha
    Link
    This is such a waste of time for everyone involved, including whoever funded, set up, and made the change at Google.

    This is such a waste of time for everyone involved, including whoever funded, set up, and made the change at Google.

    36 votes
    1. [11]
      goose
      Link Parent
      It's a waste, I agree. But I don't think Google, Apple, and any of the other map providers would be the one to point any fingers at here. For them, it's a simple database change, probably took one...

      It's a waste, I agree. But I don't think Google, Apple, and any of the other map providers would be the one to point any fingers at here. For them, it's a simple database change, probably took one person just a few minutes. I would argue the finger to point would be at those making the decision that these are the priorities that should have been focused on during the first month in office.

      24 votes
      1. [9]
        vord
        Link Parent
        I do in fact blame these companies, at least in part. Giving in to the whims of a petty tyrant is what gives them power. But then, more blame should be laid for all the money they spent on getting...

        I do in fact blame these companies, at least in part. Giving in to the whims of a petty tyrant is what gives them power.

        But then, more blame should be laid for all the money they spent on getting him elected rather than face antitrust consequences. There is a reason it was billionaires at the inauguration spots usually reserved for senior political leadership.

        26 votes
        1. [8]
          teaearlgraycold
          Link Parent
          This is how they operate with all land disputes. They appease Russia on Google maps by giving Ukraine a dashed-line border, or eagerly including Crimea within the Russian borders. Their product is...

          Giving in to the whims of a petty tyrant is what gives them power.

          This is how they operate with all land disputes. They appease Russia on Google maps by giving Ukraine a dashed-line border, or eagerly including Crimea within the Russian borders. Their product is designed to give each government their desired view of the world.

          19 votes
          1. [7]
            pseudolobster
            Link Parent
            I haven't heard of any official bill going through congress or any word from NOAA or whomever the regulatory body might be. As far as I can tell they're responding to the president's declaration...

            I haven't heard of any official bill going through congress or any word from NOAA or whomever the regulatory body might be. As far as I can tell they're responding to the president's declaration without anything compelling them to do so. That's fucked, imho.

            5 votes
            1. AugustusFerdinand
              Link Parent
              Seems like no bill is necessary, no Congressional approval required, just the U.S. Board on Geographic Names which is responsible for approving official geographic names. Google had already stated...

              Seems like no bill is necessary, no Congressional approval required, just the U.S. Board on Geographic Names which is responsible for approving official geographic names.
              Google had already stated they'd change it "as soon as the change is reflected in official government sources" and the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center quickly began using the term “Gulf of America” in its forecasts.

              It only applies in the US, it's dumb, he's dumb, but none of the steps you reference need to be taken for this to be official.

              9 votes
            2. [3]
              DefinitelyNotAFae
              Link Parent
              Afaict executive order or a law passed by Congress are equally valid, legally. Just stupid

              Afaict executive order or a law passed by Congress are equally valid, legally.

              Just stupid

              1 vote
              1. [2]
                the-boy-sebastian
                Link Parent
                the difference is Google don't have to comply with EOs as they only direct the executive branch

                the difference is Google don't have to comply with EOs as they only direct the executive branch

                1 vote
                1. DefinitelyNotAFae
                  Link Parent
                  No, they don't have to, they also don't have to follow a law changing the name either. Instead they're theoretically applying a neutral policy and treating the US like they do Russia, on tiptoes....

                  No, they don't have to, they also don't have to follow a law changing the name either. Instead they're theoretically applying a neutral policy and treating the US like they do Russia, on tiptoes.

                  If their policy is really to update all areas as served to IPs in a country based on the official naming source (ours is the GNIS) for that country and that official naming source has been updated then they're just maintaining that policy.

                  Your point was there hadn't been a law or something from NOAA or whatever. The GNIS has been updated based on the EO, which as far as I can tell is legal. I think it's dumb, but as it's not immediately infringing on civil rights and doesn't technically seem to be an overreach. It's just dumb AF.

                  2 votes
            3. [2]
              PendingKetchup
              Link Parent
              I heard they pulled in an update to a government database they use for place names. But they seem to be making up facile process-based excuses like this to try and make people ignore that the net...

              I heard they pulled in an update to a government database they use for place names.

              But they seem to be making up facile process-based excuses like this to try and make people ignore that the net result is obviously wrong.

              1. stu2b50
                Link Parent
                It’s definitely not made up, they do this for many parts of the map which are disputed by various countries in the past. It’s just unusual that the US and Mexico are disputing land in the 21st...

                It’s definitely not made up, they do this for many parts of the map which are disputed by various countries in the past. It’s just unusual that the US and Mexico are disputing land in the 21st century.

                4 votes
      2. tanglisha
        Link Parent
        I didn’t mean to point fingers at the companies implementing this, only the people pushing it. It might have been a single database change, but it had to be set up as a project/task, assigned to...

        I didn’t mean to point fingers at the companies implementing this, only the people pushing it.

        It might have been a single database change, but it had to be set up as a project/task, assigned to someone, then tested from different places. That’s likely at least 3 people involved for this one change.

        4 votes
  2. dangeresque
    Link
    This is such a petty distraction. Donald Trump doesn't care about this. None of the oligarchs he's partnered with care about this. This is some pseudopatriotic bullshit that he could excite his...

    This is such a petty distraction. Donald Trump doesn't care about this. None of the oligarchs he's partnered with care about this. This is some pseudopatriotic bullshit that he could excite his voters about, and perhaps even more importantly, a way to get The Libs riled up. It's a distraction for the public and it's a distraction for journalists. Every minute we spend writing about, reading about, and arguing with each other about the Gulf of America is a minute we spend ignoring the Trump administration's illegal impoundment of Congressionally-approved funds, illegal dismantling of Congressionally-approved federal agencies, and illegal circumvention of lawful court orders.

    12 votes
  3. [15]
    updawg
    Link
    I see "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)."

    I see "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)."

    8 votes
    1. [4]
      Fal
      Link Parent
      I see that when zoomed more out, but when you zoom in closer it changes to simply "Gulf of America"

      I see that when zoomed more out, but when you zoom in closer it changes to simply "Gulf of America"

      5 votes
      1. [2]
        updawg
        Link Parent
        Same

        Same

        2 votes
        1. Fal
          Link Parent
          Just checked again today, it's Gulf of America 100% of the time now

          Just checked again today, it's Gulf of America 100% of the time now

          2 votes
      2. dirthawker
        Link Parent
        I see Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) when either max zoomed in or max zoomed out, and maybe one or two steps in between, but about 90% of the time it's Gulf of America. Browsing from desktop in NY.

        I see Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America) when either max zoomed in or max zoomed out, and maybe one or two steps in between, but about 90% of the time it's Gulf of America. Browsing from desktop in NY.

        1 vote
    2. [3]
      Raspcoffee
      Link Parent
      Same here, it probably depends on where the user is from. Google Maps often does that. While it's a good compromise, and I understand them not wanting to deal with the rage from the Cheetolino and...

      Same here, it probably depends on where the user is from. Google Maps often does that. While it's a good compromise, and I understand them not wanting to deal with the rage from the Cheetolino and his cronies, I still hate it.

      2 votes
      1. tanglisha
        Link Parent
        I wonder what happens when you're near a border. My phone often switches me over to Canada service when I'm in the San Juan Islands.

        I wonder what happens when you're near a border. My phone often switches me over to Canada service when I'm in the San Juan Islands.

        2 votes
    3. [6]
      goose
      Link Parent
      Wikipedia indicates that it's a location based name change, so I guess if you're not in the US, it'll still show the internationally recognized name?

      Wikipedia indicates that it's a location based name change, so I guess if you're not in the US, it'll still show the internationally recognized name?

      2 votes
      1. [4]
        KapteinB
        Link Parent
        Here's what it looks like now in Norway... Just going to drop this here: https://european-alternatives.eu/alternative-to/google-maps
        4 votes
        1. vildravn
          Link Parent
          Mapy.cz is actually a really good alternative in my experience!

          Mapy.cz is actually a really good alternative in my experience!

          2 votes
        2. terr
          Link Parent
          I see essentially the same here in Canada. No matter the zoom level, I see "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)".

          I see essentially the same here in Canada. No matter the zoom level, I see "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)".

          1 vote
        3. lackofaname
          Link Parent
          I'm giving Organic Maps app a try as a way to diversify from google. I haven't used it for any big excursions, but it's feeling like a decent alternative so far.

          I'm giving Organic Maps app a try as a way to diversify from google.

          I haven't used it for any big excursions, but it's feeling like a decent alternative so far.

      2. updawg
        Link Parent
        Nah, I'm not in the US anymore and it still showed that when I VPN'd into the US. As the other comments indicated, it's a zoom thing.

        Nah, I'm not in the US anymore and it still showed that when I VPN'd into the US. As the other comments indicated, it's a zoom thing.

        1 vote
    4. elfpie
      Link Parent
      In Brazil, it's the same, but in Portuguese. The reason someone shared is because we don't have an official designation. But they should have followed the rule they imposed to themselves in the US...

      In Brazil, it's the same, but in Portuguese. The reason someone shared is because we don't have an official designation. But they should have followed the rule they imposed to themselves in the US and waited for an official government institution to start using it.

  4. doors_cannot_stop_me
    Link
    I just submitted an error report to their feedback. Won't do anything, but if it wastes a little of their time at all I'm happy.

    I just submitted an error report to their feedback. Won't do anything, but if it wastes a little of their time at all I'm happy.

    5 votes
  5. DVNO42
    Link
    My guess is he's testing the legal boundaries (see how courts respon, who responds, how quickly, etc) and sewing administrative chaos with agencies (he's causing a hell of a back log of BS). I...

    My guess is he's testing the legal boundaries (see how courts respon, who responds, how quickly, etc) and sewing administrative chaos with agencies (he's causing a hell of a back log of BS).

    I think of it as testing a security systems weak points before making a bigger change attempt...

    4 votes
  6. [2]
    Jordan117
    Link
    I'm surprised there's not already a browser extension available to undo this (or heck, to use custom map labels in general).

    I'm surprised there's not already a browser extension available to undo this (or heck, to use custom map labels in general).

    1. clem
      Link Parent
      Exactly, I should be able to rename it "Gulf of Freedom Fries" for the next four years if I want to.

      Exactly, I should be able to rename it "Gulf of Freedom Fries" for the next four years if I want to.

      3 votes