Apple Maps has renamed Lake Ontario “Lake America” for US users, following a similar change Google Maps made days earlier, after President Trump’s executive order directing the name change.
How the Change Rolled Out
Trump personally asked Apple to make the change, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The update applies to the web version of Apple Maps for US users; the Canadian version continues to show “Lake Ontario,” and international versions display both names.
Why Google Went First
Google has said it updates its maps to reflect changes in the US Geographic Names Information System, which was updated after Trump’s order, and that it follows those federal naming conventions as standard practice rather than a political decision.
The Reaction
Canadian officials and the Seneca Nation, whose treaty rights the rename is said to violate, have both rejected the new name and said they will continue using Lake Ontario.
