Google Maps blocks Gulf of America reviews after critics attempt review-bombing – Washington Examiner
Google Maps recently changed the name of the gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America for users in the United States,a decision stemming from the Trump governance. Following the update, critics attempted to leave negative one-star reviews to protest the name change, which led Google to remove the ratings option for that location. This incident reflects a broader trend of “review-bombing,” where users Target businesses or entities over political issues.
In response to the name change, the Mexican government criticized Google, saying it incorrectly altered the name associated with their territory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has threatened legal action against Google for this change, asserting that it encroaches on the country’s naming rights for its continental shelf. Google acknowledged that while users in the U.S.see the Gulf of America, users in Mexico will still see the Gulf of Mexico, and others will see both names.
Google Maps blocks Gulf of America reviews after critics attempt review-bombing
Google Maps updated the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, a change made by the Trump administration, for map users in the United States.
Shortly after the update to Google Maps, critics said they attempted to leave negative reviews about the newly renamed body of water.
Social media users said they made one-star reviews before Google removed the ratings option on maps.
Google is now censoring us.
In the post 👇🏻literally hundreds said gave a 1 star review on Gulf of Mexico name change, yet today I appear the only one. Others saying same.
Also not allowing reports of a naming error.
Pretty shocking,@google #ChangeYourSearchEngine pic.twitter.com/s07SMIzXsE— Dr Jill Belch (@JillBelch) February 13, 2025
Review-bombing has become a political practice of targeting businesses and companies involved in top political news stories.
Google has had to navigate activists descending their map locations, including at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania in December, where Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the United Healthcare CEO murder, was arrested. Google Maps removed derogatory reviews that attempted to attack the business at the center of the story.
On Monday, Mexico denounced Google’s labeling of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America for U.S.-based users as “incorrect.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is threatening to take Google to court.
“What Google is doing here is changing the name of the continental shelf of Mexico and Cuba, which has nothing to do with Trump’s decree, which applied only to the US continental shelf,” Sheinbaum said to the press. “We do not agree with this, and the Foreign Minister has sent a new letter addressing the issue.”
In a Feb. 10 release, Google Maps said inside the U.S., the name would be updated to Gulf of America while people in Mexico would see Gulf of Mexico.
“Everyone else will see both names,” said Google Maps.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...