Mexico Sues Google Over Gulf Name Change
The Mexican government has initiated legal action against Google for altering the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on its Maps application within the United States. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the lawsuit, although the exact date and location of the filing remain undisclosed. The core of the dispute centers on the legality of the name change, which Mexico argues is an overreach of authority by the US government.
A Question of Jurisdiction
Mexico contends that a previous US administration's order to change the name applies solely to US territorial waters and lacks the jurisdiction to rename the entire body of water. The Mexican government maintains that the Gulf of Mexico is its rightful and internationally recognized name. Prior to the legal action, Mexico reportedly contacted Google to request a reconsideration of the name change, but these attempts proved unsuccessful.
Google's Stance
Google's decision to implement the name change was based on its established policy of displaying officially recognized local names. For US users, the map now shows "Gulf of America," reflecting the US government's designation. However, users outside the US continue to see the body of water labeled as the Gulf of Mexico, or with a dual naming convention. This highlights the complexities of geographic naming conventions across international borders and the role of technology companies in navigating these issues.
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Source: Engadget