Apple renames Lake Ontario after controversial Trump order

Lake Ontario now appears as “Lake America” in Apple’s Maps app for users in the United States, following an order from President Donald Trump. Canadian users continue to see Lake Ontario.

Apple confirmed the change after the lake’s name was altered in the U.S. Geographic Names Information System, a government database of geographical names. Google also made the same adjustment for users of Google Maps in the United States.

The move followed Trump’s executive order and came after trade negotiations between Canada and the United States broke down in August. The United States then imposed 50% tariffs on Canadian goods worth $20 billion.

The naming dispute has a distinctly uneven geography. About 52% of the lake’s surface lies in Canada, while the remainder lies in New York state. The split display means the same body of water carries different names depending on which side of the border a map user occupies.

The change shows how technology companies can be pulled into geopolitical conflicts. It also reflects pressure on American companies to follow presidential orders that allies and international organizations have rejected.