Mexico Files Lawsuit Against Google Over Ocean Naming Dispute

President Claudia Sheinbaum expresses frustration over the company's disregard for the country's territorial naming conventions.

In a controversial move, Mexico has filed a lawsuit against Google due to the tech giant's persistent use of the name "Gulf of America" for what is internationally recognized as the Gulf of Mexico on its US version of Google Maps. President Claudia Sheinbaum has made multiple requests for Google to revert to the original name, arguing that the change disregards international protocols and the historical significance of the name "Gulf of Mexico."

The legal action was announced after the US House of Representatives, controlled by Republican lawmakers, voted to officially endorse the renaming. This follows former President Donald Trump's executive order on his first day in office, which he claimed was justified by the US's extensive economic activities in the region. Sheinbaum's administration countered that Trump's order only pertains to the US portion of the continental shelf, insisting that the US cannot unilaterally change the name for the entire gulf.

In a letter sent to Google in January, Sheinbaum requested a reconsideration of the name change. When her appeals were ignored, she threatened legal action in the following month. Google explained that the name alteration was part of their established practice of updating names according to official government sources, clarifying that users in Mexico would still see the designated "Gulf of Mexico," while others outside the country would get the updated label.

The naming dispute has drawn attention, particularly following a long-standing feud between the Associated Press and the Trump administration over the usage of "Gulf of America." Tensions escalated to the point that access restrictions were placed on the news organization, which were later overturned by a federal judge.

Further complicating matters, President Trump hinted at a possible change in nomenclature regarding another significant body of water while preparing for an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia. He indicated the potential to reclassify the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf, stirring concerns and swift reactions from Iranian officials who condemned the anticipated move.

The ongoing dispute illustrates the complexities surrounding international naming conventions and the geopolitical implications tied to territorial waters. As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how Google will respond and whether the US will continue to challenge traditional geographic names.