In a move that is likely to spark controversy and diplomatic tensions, Apple Maps is set to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, following a similar change made by Google earlier this week. The move is reportedly in compliance with a recent executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, which officially changed the name of the body of water.

According to Bloomberg, U.S.-based Apple users can expect to see the new name, "Gulf of America", as soon as Tuesday, with the company planning to roll out the change to users in other countries in the near future. This move comes on the heels of Google's decision to make a similar change, which has already been implemented for users around the world. Google Maps users now see the split name, "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)", when viewing the gulf, while users in Mexico and the United States see their respective country's names.

The decision has sparked outrage in Mexico, with President Claudia Sheinbaum sending a letter to Google asking the company to reconsider the name change. However, it appears that both Apple and Google are following orders from the U.S. President, despite the diplomatic fallout. The move has raised questions about the role of technology companies in shaping our understanding of geography and the potential consequences of such changes on international relations.

This controversy highlights the complex relationship between technology companies and governments. While companies like Apple and Google have a significant impact on how we perceive and interact with the world around us, they are also subject to the laws and regulations of the countries in which they operate. In this case, it appears that the companies are prioritizing compliance with the U.S. executive order over potential diplomatic repercussions.

The implications of this move extend beyond the realm of technology and into the broader sphere of international relations. The renaming of the Gulf of Mexico has the potential to exacerbate existing tensions between the U.S. and Mexico, and could set a precedent for future disputes over geographic naming conventions. As technology companies continue to play an increasingly prominent role in shaping our understanding of the world, it remains to be seen how they will navigate these complex issues and balance their responsibilities to both governments and users.

As the rollout of the new name continues, it will be important to monitor the response from users, governments, and other stakeholders. Will this move spark a wider conversation about the role of technology companies in shaping our understanding of geography, or will it be seen as a minor controversy in the grand scheme of things? Only time will tell.