In a move that has sparked controversy, Google Maps has officially updated the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, complying with President Donald Trump's executive order issued on his inauguration day. The change, which took effect on Monday, is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to "restore American pride in the history of American greatness."

The executive order, one of many signed by Trump on his first day in office, also reversed an Obama-era decision to rename Mount McKinley to Denali, a name that has been used by Indigenous people for centuries. The Gulf of Mexico, a body of water that has been known by its current name since the 16th century, is now being referred to as the Gulf of America on Google Maps.

As of Monday afternoon, users in the United States accessing Google Maps will see the updated name, while international users will see both names. Interestingly, users in Mexico will only see the original name, Gulf of Mexico. Google had previously stated in January that it would comply with Trump's executive order once the place names were updated in the United States' Geographic Names Information System.

The decision has drawn criticism from Mexican officials, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing plans to send a letter to Google questioning the company's decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico. However, Google's move is consistent with its existing policies around navigating naming differences between countries, where the company aligns its Maps with the user's local government.

Notably, Apple Maps has not yet updated the name of the Gulf of Mexico or Denali, despite both Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook attending Trump's inauguration. When searching for "Gulf of America" on Apple Maps, the app does not yield any results. The disparity in response from the two tech giants raises questions about the role of private companies in implementing government policies.

The move has sparked a broader debate about the implications of government policies on private companies and the role of technology in shaping our understanding of the world. As the tech industry continues to grapple with the complexities of navigating geopolitical differences, the decision by Google Maps to rename the Gulf of Mexico serves as a timely reminder of the delicate balance between government, business, and society.

In the coming days, it will be interesting to see how Apple Maps responds to the situation and whether other tech companies will follow Google's lead in complying with Trump's executive order. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the decisions made by tech giants have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the virtual world.