Google Maps Sparks Controversy by Renaming Gulf of Mexico Amid Censorship Allegations

Google Maps recently ignited public outcry by renaming the Gulf of Mexico to ‘Gulf of America’ for U.S. users, following a directive from former President Donald Trump. This change, which Google implemented amid rising scrutiny, prompted a backlash including claims of censorship as the company disabled reviews for the renamed location. Users noted that numerous disparaging reviews criticizing the name change were deleted, leading to accusations of manipulation and censorship in the management of user feedback. Social media users began retaliating through ‘review-bombing’, targeting not just the Gulf location but also rating the Google Maps app itself negatively on platforms like the Apple App Store. Critics portrayed this as a violation of free expression and a distortion of facts about geographical naming. The controversy escalated when Mexico’s government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed outrage and threatened legal action against Google following their objections to the name change. The situation intensified further as celebrities, including Star Trek’s George Takei, publicly urged users to report the erroneous labeling in various apps. Google defended its actions by citing policies designed to regulate content and remove off-topic contributions. As the situation unfolds, both Google and Apple have faced scrutiny over their roles in shaping digital information alignments with shifting political landscapes.