Apple Maps under fire after Google renames Gulf of Mexico

Apple Maps is facing criticism for not renaming the Gulf of Mexico after Google updated its Maps app to label it as the "Gulf of America" for users in the United States. The change, made in response to an executive order by President Donald Trump, has sparked a heated debate online.

Many users took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their opinions.

"I swear to God, @tim_cook, if you touch the Gulf of Mexico on Apple Maps, I will haunt you. This is crazy Nazi stuff being presented to a toddler," one user wrote.



Another urged Apple to follow Google's lead, posting, "Hi @Apple, please follow Google in updating your maps."

However, others praised Apple for resisting the change.

"I just opened my phone and saw Google Maps has changed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Google Maps has just been deleted from my phone. I will use Apple Maps," one user wrote.

Another added, "I will continue to use Apple Maps—they still have it as Gulf of Mexico."

Another supported Apple Maps saying, "It gives me no pleasure to announce that Apple Maps and Bing Maps are now superior to Google."



In a blog post, Google explained that users in different regions would see different names. "People using Maps in the US will see 'Gulf of America,' and people in Mexico will see 'Gulf of Mexico.' Everyone else will see both names," the company stated.

This renaming is part of a broader series of changes initiated by Trump. Upon his return to the presidency, he also reversed the 2015 decision to rename America’s highest peak as Denali, restoring its previous name, Mt. McKinley. The Denali name had been officially recognized under President Barack Obama in response to long-standing demands from Alaska Native groups.