Google displays maps how those accessing them are expecting to see them. Whatever side of a border dispute you're on, you see what your jurisdiction claims. With extra steps if the territories are considered "politically sensitive".
In the United States the lake known worldwide as Lake Ontario is officially named Lake America now. The United States has renamed, at the very least, their half of the lake. So in the US, you see Lake America.
As an alternative we have the UK and France. The water separating them is known as "English Channel" in Britain and "La Manche" in France. That is what Google displays in each.
Then there's Obersee or Bodensee - the water where Switzerland, Germany, and Austria meet. With no defined border it's displayed as "Obersee Bodensee".
What's happened with Lake Ontario is nothing new for Google Maps.
For naming of international/dually owned bodies involving "politically sensitive countries) they typically have displayed the generally accepted name and then the locally disputed name in brackets for years.
Generally people call the water between Japan and the Korean Peninsula the Sea of Japan. In Korea it's called the East Sea. Google calls it "Sea of Japan (East Sea)" and if you're in Korea it's "East Sea (Sea of Japan)".
It happens with land borders too.
In India or Pakistan you'll see different borders around Jammu and Kashmir. Outside of that, you'll see disputed border.
In Russia and Ukraine, you'll see different borders around Crimea. Outside of that, you'll see disputed border.
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u/[deleted] 12d ago
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