Editing Google Maps (section)

== Criticism and controversies ==
=== Incorrect location naming ===
There are cases where Google Maps had added out-of-date neighborhood monikers. Thus, in Los Angeles, the name "Brooklyn Heights" was revived from its 1870s usage<ref name="Martin-2018">{{cite news |url=https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/google-maps-brooklyn-heights/ |title=Why Is Google Maps Using a 19th Century Name for an L.A. Neighborhood? |work=[[Los Angeles (magazine)|Los Angeles]] |first=Brittany |last=Martin |date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126171747/https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/google-maps-brooklyn-heights/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and "Silver Lake Heights" from its 1920s usage,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://laist.com/news/google-maps-is-confusing-angelenos |title=Google Maps' Phantom Neighborhoods Are Confusing Southern Californians. Help Us Keep Track Of Them |author-first1=Ryan|author-last1=Fonseca|website=LAist|date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126173557/https://laist.com/news/google-maps-is-confusing-angelenos |url-status=live }}</ref> or mistakenly relabeled areas (in Detroit, the neighborhood "Fiskhorn" became "Fishkorn").<ref name="Nicas-2018">{{cite news |author=Nicas |first=Jack |date=August 2, 2018 |title=As Google Maps Renames Neighborhoods, Residents Fume |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/02/technology/google-maps-neighborhood-names.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131031017/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/02/technology/google-maps-neighborhood-names.html |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> Because many companies utilize Google Maps data, these previously obscure or incorrect names then gain traction; the names are often used by [[Real estate agent|realtors]], hotels, [[food delivery]] sites, [[Online dating service|dating sites]], and [[News media|news organizations]].

Google has said it created its maps from third-party data, public sources, satellites, and users, but many names used have not been connected to any official record.<ref name="Martin-2018" /><ref name="Nicas-2018" /> According to a former Google Maps employee (who was not authorized to speak publicly), users can submit changes to Google Maps, but some submissions are ruled upon by people with little local knowledge of a place, such as contractors in India. Critics maintain that names likes "BoCoCa" (for the area in Brooklyn between Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens), are "just plain puzzling" or simply made up.<ref name="Nicas-2018" /> Some names used by Google have been traced to non-professionally made maps with typographical errors that survived on Google Maps.<ref name="Nicas-2018" />

=== Potential misuse ===
{{See also|Google Street View privacy concerns|List of satellite map images with missing or unclear data}}
In 2005 the [[Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation]] (ANSTO) complained about the potential for terrorists to use the satellite images in planning attacks, with specific reference to the [[Open-pool Australian lightwater reactor|Lucas Heights nuclear reactor]]; however, the Australian Federal government did not support the organization's concern. At the time of the ANSTO complaint, Google had colored over some areas for security (mostly in the U.S.), such as the rooftop of the [[White House]] and several other Washington, D.C. buildings.<ref>{{cite web |title=Blurred Out: 51 Things You Aren't Allowed to See on Google Maps |url=http://www.itsecurity.com/features/51-things-not-on-google-maps-071508/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721174419/http://www.itsecurity.com/features/51-things-not-on-google-maps-071508/ |archive-date=July 21, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Google Maps: The White House — Elliott C. Back |url=http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2005/04/08/google-maps-the-white-house/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201202900/http://elliottback.com/wp/archives/2005/04/08/google-maps-the-white-house/ |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |access-date=August 27, 2010 |website=Elliottback.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Barlow |first=Karen |date=August 8, 2005 |title=Google Earth prompts security fears |newspaper=ABC News Online |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/s1432602.htm |access-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616031427/http://www.abc.net.au/news/indepth/featureitems/s1432602.htm |archive-date=June 16, 2009}}</ref>

In October 2010, Nicaraguan military commander [[Edén Pastora]] [[Costa Rica–Nicaragua San Juan River border dispute#2010 Isla Calero dispute|stationed Nicaraguan troops]] on the [[Isla Calero]] (in the delta of the [[San Juan River (Nicaragua)|San Juan River]]), justifying his action on the border delineation given by Google Maps. Google has since updated its data which it found to be incorrect.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 5, 2010 |title=Google Maps border becomes part of international dispute |url=http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-05/tech/nicaragua.raid.google.maps_1_google-maps-google-spokeswoman-google-earth? |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508142002/http://articles.cnn.com/2010-11-05/tech/nicaragua.raid.google.maps_1_google-maps-google-spokeswoman-google-earth |first=John D. |last=Sutter |archive-date=May 8, 2012 |access-date=April 25, 2012 |publisher=CNN }}</ref>

On January 27, 2014, documents leaked by [[Edward Snowden]] revealed that the [[NSA]] and the [[GCHQ]] intercepted Google Maps queries made on smartphones, and used them to locate the users making these queries. One leaked document, dating to 2008, stated that "[i]t effectively means that anyone using Google Maps on a smartphone is working in support of a GCHQ system."<ref>{{cite news |last=Ball |first=James |date=January 28, 2014 |title=Angry Birds and 'leaky' phone apps targeted by NSA and GCHQ for user data |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/nsa-gchq-smartphone-app-angry-birds-personal-data |url-status=live |access-date=March 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302173109/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/27/nsa-gchq-smartphone-app-angry-birds-personal-data |archive-date=March 2, 2014}}</ref>

In May 2015, searches on Google Maps for offensive racial epithets for African Americans pointed the user to the [[White House]]; Google apologized for the incident.<ref>Gibbs, Samuel. [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/20/google-apologises-racist-google-maps-white-house-search-results Google says sorry over racist Google Maps White House search results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414183643/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/20/google-apologises-racist-google-maps-white-house-search-results|date=April 14, 2022}}. [[The Guardian]]. Retrieved on 15 April 2022</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Fung |first=Brian |date=2021-12-06 |title=If you search Google Maps for the N-word, it gives you the White House |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/05/19/if-you-search-google-maps-for-the-n-word-it-gives-you-the-white-house/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423140612/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2015/05/19/if-you-search-google-maps-for-the-n-word-it-gives-you-the-white-house/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2015, 3 Japanese [[netizen]]s were charged with vandalism after they were found to have added an unrelated law firm's name as well as indecent names to locations such as "[[Nuclear test site]]" to the [[Hiroshima Peace Memorial|Atomic Bomb Dome]] and "Izumo [[Aum Shinrikyo|Satya]]" to the [[Izumo-taisha|Izumo Taisha]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-02 |title=グーグルマップ改ざん、３人書類送検 業務妨害容疑 |url=http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASHD1346ZHD1UTIL00L.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201025122/http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASHD1346ZHD1UTIL00L.html |archive-date=2015-12-01 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=[[Asahi Shimbun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-12-01 |title=グーグルマップの施設名を勝手に書き換え 大学生ら3人書類送検 |url=http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00309945.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204054032/http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00309945.html |archive-date=2015-12-04 |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=FNN Prime Online}}</ref>

In February 2020, the artist Simon Weckert<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.simonweckert.com/googlemapshacks.html |title=Google Maps Hacks |website=Simon Weckert |access-date=31 July 2024 |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806221436/https://www.simonweckert.com/googlemapshacks.html |url-status=live }}</ref> used 99 cell phones to fake a Google Maps traffic jam.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=An Artist Used 99 Phones to Fake a Google Maps Traffic Jam |url=https://www.wired.com/story/99-phones-fake-google-maps-traffic-jam/ |magazine=Wired |language=en |issn=1059-1028 |access-date=2020-02-04 |archive-date=January 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117015636/https://www.wired.com/story/99-phones-fake-google-maps-traffic-jam/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2024, several schools in Taiwan and Hong Kong were altered to incorrect labels, such as "[[psychiatric hospitals]]" or "[[prisons]]". Initially, it was believed to be the result of hacker attacks. However, police later revealed that local students had carried out the prank. Google quickly corrected the mislabeled entries. Education officials in Taiwan and Hong Kong expressed concern over the incident.<ref>{{cite web | last=Liu | first=Oscar | title=Hong Kong officials concerned over pranksters renaming schools on Google Maps | website=South China Morning Post | date=2024-09-19 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3279201/nobi-nobita-college-hong-kong-concerned-over-pranksters-renaming-schools-google-maps | access-date=2024-11-18 | archive-date=November 22, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122211426/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3279201/nobi-nobita-college-hong-kong-concerned-over-pranksters-renaming-schools-google-maps | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first=Jono | last=Thomson | title=Google says spoofed Taiwan school names being fixed | website=Taiwan News | date=2024-09-23 | url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5940375 | access-date=2024-11-18 | archive-date=November 29, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241129194448/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5940375 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=Google地圖改校名之亂 警查出是學生惡搞學校 | url=https://udn.com/news/story/6885/8250089 | website=聯合新聞網 | language=zh-Hant-TW | last=聯合新聞網 | access-date=2024-11-18 | archive-date=December 31, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241231053629/https://udn.com/news/story/6885/8250089 | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Misdirection incidents ===

==== Argentina ====
In May 2025, a Brazilian tourist driving from [[Perito Moreno, Santa Cruz|Perito Moreno]] to [[El Calafate]] walked {{convert|25|km|mi}} on foot during a snowstorm after Google Maps directed him to an unpaved section of Santa Cruz's 29 highway where his car got stranded. He was rescued by local police after walking for five hours in freezing weather.<ref name="Rio Negro">{{cite news |title=A pie, solo y en la nieve: así encontraron al turista brasileño perdido en un tramo viejo de la Ruta 40 |url=https://www.rionegro.com.ar/sociedad/video-solo-sin-senal-y-a-pie-asi-fue-el-rescate-del-turista-brasileno-perdido-en-la-nieve-en-santa-cruz-4139580/ |language=es |access-date=31 May 2025 |agency=Diario Río Negro |date=22 May 2025}}</ref>

==== Australia ====
In August 2023, a woman driving from [[Alice Springs]] to the Harts Range Racecourse was stranded in the Central Australian desert for a night after following directions provided by Google Maps.<ref name="Allison-2023">{{Cite news |last1=Allison |first1=Charmayne |last2=Robinson |first2=Lee |last3=Goetze |first3=Eliza |date=2023-08-15 |title=A student nurse was left stranded in the desert with just an esky of beers after Google Maps led her astray |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-16/google-maps-leaves-student-nurse-stranded-in-desert/102729818 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922141922/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-16/google-maps-leaves-student-nurse-stranded-in-desert/102729818 |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-22 |work=[[ABC News Australia]] |language=en-AU}}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera-2023">{{Cite web |date=21 September 2023 |title=Google sued after man drove off collapsed bridge following map directions |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/21/google-sued-after-man-drove-off-collapsed-bridge-following-map-directions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125084122/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/9/21/google-sued-after-man-drove-off-collapsed-bridge-following-map-directions |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> She later discovered that Google Maps was providing directions for the actual [[Hart Range, Northern Territory|Harts Range]] instead of the rodeo. Google said it was looking into the naming of the two locations and consulting with "local and authoritative sources" to solve the issue.<ref name="Allison-2023" />

In February 2024, two German tourists were stranded for a week after Google Maps directed them to follow a dirt track through [[Oyala Thumotang National Park]] and their vehicle became trapped in mud.<ref name="Meacham-2024">{{Cite web |last=Meacham |first=Savannah |date=2024-02-21 |title='I wouldn't want to live this again': Tourists lost for a week after Google Maps mishap |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/i-wouldn-t-want-to-live-this-again-tourists-lost-for-a-week-after-google-maps-mishap-20240221-p5f6rn.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |language=en |agency=[[Australian Associated Press]] |archive-date=February 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227020817/https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/i-wouldn-t-want-to-live-this-again-tourists-lost-for-a-week-after-google-maps-mishap-20240221-p5f6rn.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lagan |first=Bernard |date=2024-02-29 |title=Google Maps stranded us with crocodiles and snakes in the outback |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/article/google-maps-stranded-us-with-crocodiles-and-snakes-in-the-outback-bgxz6r0w5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240223113341/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/google-maps-stranded-us-with-crocodiles-and-snakes-in-the-outback-bgxz6r0w5 |archive-date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-02-29 |work=[[The Times]] |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> [[Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service]] ranger Roger James said, "People should not trust Google Maps when they're travelling in remote regions of [[Queensland]], and they need to follow the signs, use official maps or other navigational devices."<ref name="Meacham-2024" />

==== North America ====
In June 2019, Google Maps provided nearly 100 [[Colorado]] drivers an alternative route that led to a dirt road after a crash occurred on [[Peña Boulevard]]. The road had been turned to mud by rain, resulting in nearly 100 vehicles being trapped.<ref name="Lou-2019">{{Cite web |last=Lou |first=Michelle |date=2019-06-26 |title=Nearly 100 drivers followed a Google Maps detour – and ended up stuck in an empty field |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/26/us/google-maps-detour-colorado-trnd/index.html |access-date=2024-02-29 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213234347/https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/26/us/google-maps-detour-colorado-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera-2023" /> Google said in a statement, "While we always work to provide the best directions, issues can arise due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather. We encourage all drivers to follow local laws, stay attentive, and use their best judgment while driving."<ref name="Lou-2019" />

In September 2023, Google was sued by a [[North Carolina]] resident who alleged that Google Maps had directed her husband over the Snow Creek Bridge in [[Hickory, North Carolina|Hickory]] the year prior, resulting in him drowning. According to the lawsuit, multiple people had notified Google about the state of the bridge, which collapsed in 2013, but Google had not updated the route information and continued to direct users over the bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brodkin |first=Jon |date=2023-09-21 |title=Google sued over fatal Google Maps error after man drove off broken bridge |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/09/lawsuit-says-man-died-after-google-maps-directed-him-over-collapsed-bridge/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=[[Ars Technica]] |language=en-us |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922163735/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/09/lawsuit-says-man-died-after-google-maps-directed-him-over-collapsed-bridge/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Jamiel |date=2023-09-21 |title=Family sues Google alleging its Maps app led father to drive off collapsed bridge to his death, attorneys say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/us/father-death-google-gps-drive-off-bridge-lawsuit-north-carolina/index.html |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125084120/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/us/father-death-google-gps-drive-off-bridge-lawsuit-north-carolina/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Al Jazeera-2023" /> At the time of the man's death, the barriers placed to block access to the bridge had been vandalized.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ritter |first=Moira |date=September 20, 2023 |title=Dad of 2 died after driving off collapsed bridge, family says. Now, Google being sued |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article279563759.html |access-date=January 25, 2024 |work=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118220946/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article279563759.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Matza |first=Max |date=2023-09-21 |title=Google accused of directing motorist to drive off collapsed bridge |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66873982 |access-date=2024-01-25 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120070521/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66873982 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 2023, a hiker was rescued by helicopter on the backside of [[Mount Fromme]] in [[Vancouver]]. [[North Shore Rescue]] stated on its Facebook page that the hiker had followed a non-existent hiking trail on Google Maps. This was also the second hiker in two months to require rescuing after following the same trail. The fake trail has since been removed from the app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Adam |date=2023-11-08 |title=A Hiker Is Lucky to Be Alive After Following a Fake Trail on Google Maps |url=https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/a-hiker-is-lucky-to-be-alive-after-following-a-fake-trail-on-google-maps/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110005235/https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/a-hiker-is-lucky-to-be-alive-after-following-a-fake-trail-on-google-maps/ |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=[[Backpacker (magazine)|Backpacker]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Holpuch |first=Amanda |date=November 12, 2023 |title=Hikers Rescued After Following Nonexistent Trail on Google Maps |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/world/canada/google-maps-trail-british-columbia.html |access-date=February 29, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110094932/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/world/canada/google-maps-trail-british-columbia.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Also in November 2023, Google apologized after users were directed through desert roads after parts of [[Interstate 15]] were closed due to a [[dust storm]].<ref name="Wilson-2023">{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=Madeline |title=Google Maps Is Sorry for Sending L.A.-Bound Drivers on Nightmare Desert Detour |url=https://lamag.com/latravel/google-maps-sorry-for-sending-la-las-vegas-drivers-on-nightmare-desert-detour |access-date=November 29, 2023 |work=[[Los Angeles (magazine)|Los Angeles]] |date=November 29, 2023 |archive-date=December 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231215221000/https://lamag.com/latravel/google-maps-sorry-for-sending-la-las-vegas-drivers-on-nightmare-desert-detour |url-status=live }}</ref> Drivers became stranded after following the suggested detour route, which was a "bumpy dirt trail".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wu |first1=Daniel |title=Google apologizes after map led drivers down dirt path into the desert |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/11/28/google-maps-desert-detour-california-vegas-formula-one/ |access-date=November 29, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 28, 2023 |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129010730/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/11/28/google-maps-desert-detour-california-vegas-formula-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the incident, Google stated that Google Maps would "no longer route drivers traveling between [[Las Vegas]] and [[Barstow, California|Barstow]] down through those roads."<ref name="Wilson-2023"/>

==== Russia ====
In 2020, a teenage motorist was found frozen to death while his passenger was still alive but suffered from severe [[frostbite]] after using Google Maps, which had led them to a shorter but abandoned section of the [[R504 Kolyma Highway]], where their [[Toyota Chaser]] became disabled.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stewart |first=Will |date=2020-12-11 |title=Man frozen to death after Google Maps wrong turn |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/man-frozen-to-death-after-google-maps-wrong-turn/news-story/13e10cbbc96494ee26e6dea29f4fb469 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210708182405/https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/man-frozen-to-death-after-google-maps-wrong-turn/news-story/13e10cbbc96494ee26e6dea29f4fb469 |archive-date=2021-07-08 |access-date=2024-03-02 |work=[[news.com.au]]}}</ref>

==== India ====
Google Maps has been linked to several misdirection incidents in India in 2024.<ref name="Bhattacharya-2025" /> In 2024, three men from [[Uttar Pradesh]] died after their car fell from an under-construction bridge. They were using Google Maps for driving which misdirected them and the car fell into the [[Ramganga]] river.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-25 |title=Google Maps leads three men to death as car plunges from incomplete bridge into river in Bareilly, UP |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/google-maps-leads-three-men-to-death-as-car-plunges-from-incomplete-bridge-into-river-in-bareilly-up/articleshow/115651260.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-11-25 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125142729/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/google-maps-leads-three-men-to-death-as-car-plunges-from-incomplete-bridge-into-river-in-bareilly-up/articleshow/115651260.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-24 |title=UP News: Google Map Route Leads To Death Of 3, Car Falls Into Ramganga River in Bareilly |url=https://english.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/up-news-three-dead-after-car-plunges-into-ramganga-river-in-bareilly-driver-followed-google-maps-to-incomplete-bridge-10203012 |access-date=2024-11-25 |website=English Jagran |language=en |archive-date=November 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124184823/https://english.jagran.com/uttar-pradesh/up-news-three-dead-after-car-plunges-into-ramganga-river-in-bareilly-driver-followed-google-maps-to-incomplete-bridge-10203012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The bridge had no warning signs or barricades in place at the time of the incident. Engineers from the state's road department and a Google Maps official were identified in a police complaint on charges related to the case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mollan |first1=Cherylann |last2=Syed Moziz |first2=Imam |title=A fatal car crash in India sparks concerns over Google Maps |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly23yknjy9o |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2024}}</ref>

=== Labelling disputes ===
In February 2025, Google said that it would change all parks labelled "[[state park]]s" in [[Canada]] to "[[provincial park]]s". This issue predated the [[Second presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] but gained attention after Trump stated that he would like [[Movements for the annexation of Canada to the United States|Canada to become the 51st state]]. The "state park" listing was criticized by Canadians, including [[British Columbia]] environment minister [[Tamara Davidson]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Kurjata |first=Andrew |date=24 February 2025 |title=Google says it's updating Canadian parks listed as state parks in its search and maps |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/why-are-provincial-parks-listed-as-state-parks-on-google-maps-1.7466824 |access-date=28 May 2025 |work=[[CBC News]] |agency=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Greenberg |first=Courtney |date=Feb 25, 2025 |title=Canadians upset at 'state' labels for provincial parks on Google Maps |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/google-maps-canadian-provincial-parks-label |access-date=May 30, 2025 |work=[[National Post]]}}</ref>

=== Naming disputes ===
In 2012, BBC News reported that Google was facing potential legal action from Iran for its lack of a naming label for the [[Persian Gulf]] on Google Maps. The body of water was not labelled on the map; Iran said Google would see "serious damages" if the gulf was not named on the map.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran 'to sue Google' for not labelling Gulf on world map |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18108246 |access-date=26 April 2025 |work=BBC News |date=17 May 2012}}</ref> The gulf is the subject of a [[Persian Gulf naming dispute|naming dispute]]. By 2016, Google Maps displayed both Persian Gulf and Arabian Gulf on the body of water and showed "either Arabian or Persian Gulf to local users, depending on geolocation and language settings."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zraick |first1=Karen |title=Persian (or Arabian) Gulf Is Caught in the Middle of Regional Rivalries |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/13/world/middleeast/persian-gulf-arabian-gulf-iran-saudi-arabia.html |access-date=April 26, 2025 |work=The New York Times |date=January 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116063936/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/13/world/middleeast/persian-gulf-arabian-gulf-iran-saudi-arabia.html |archive-date=January 16, 2016}}</ref>

In February 2025, as a response to [[Donald Trump]]'s [[Executive Order 14172]], the [[Gulf of Mexico]] was relabeled to "Gulf of America" for US users and "Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America)" elsewhere, except for Mexico itself where it remained the Gulf of Mexico. The decision received criticism, with Mexican president [[Claudia Sheinbaum]] asking Google to reconsider its decision,<ref>{{cite web |last=Hauari |first=Gabe |date=2025-01-31 |title=Mexico's president asks Google not to rename Gulf of Mexico |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2025/01/31/mexico-president-google-maps-rename-gulf-of-mexico-america/78080358007/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> and stating that her government would not rule out filing a [[civil lawsuit]] against Google.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sánchez |first=Fabiola |date=2025-02-14 |title=Mexico says it might sue Google over 'Gulf of America' name change on Maps |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/national-international/mexico-might-sue-google-gulf-of-america-change-maps/3793671/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=[[NBC Bay Area]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Google subsequently disabled user reviews of the gulf after the name change occurred; BBC News reported that "Google appears to have deleted some negative reviews left in the wake of its name change."<ref>{{Cite web |last=McMahon |first=Liv |date=2025-02-13 |title=Google Maps blocks Gulf of America reviews after rename criticism |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crlky380wd7o |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=February 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215013626/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crlky380wd7o |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dellinger |first=A. J. |date=2025-02-13 |title=Google Maps Won't Let You Leave Negative Reviews on the Gulf of America |url=https://gizmodo.com/google-maps-wont-let-you-leave-negative-reviews-on-the-gulf-of-america-2000563649 |access-date=2025-02-21 |website=Gizmodo |language=en-US |archive-date=February 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250215132007/https://gizmodo.com/google-maps-wont-let-you-leave-negative-reviews-on-the-gulf-of-america-2000563649 |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2025, Sheinbaum said a lawsuit had been filed against Google for its continued use of "Gulf of America" on Google Maps.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mexico sues Google over changing Gulf of Mexico’s name for US users |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/09/mexico-google-lawsuit-gulf-of-mexico |access-date=10 May 2025 |work=The Guardian |agency=Agence France-Press |date=10 May 2025}}</ref>

In April 2025, an update was released for Google Maps that more explicitly displayed the "[[West Philippine Sea]]" label for parts of the [[South China Sea]] claimed by the [[Philippines]]. The decision was praised by Filipino officials<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maitem |first=Jeoffrey |date=2025-04-15 |title=Manila praises Google's move to put 'West Philippine Sea' on the map |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306575/manila-says-googles-west-philippine-sea-label-shows-global-support-its-stance |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref> but criticized by the [[Chinese Foreign Ministry]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kang |first=Taejun |date=2025-04-17 |title=Beijing, Manila at odds over Google Maps update on South China Sea |url=https://www.rfa.org/english/southchinasea/2025/04/17/south-chia-sea-west-philippines-google-maps/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=[[Radio Free Asia]] |language=en}}</ref> A Google spokesperson stated, "The West Philippine Sea has always been labeled on Google Maps. We recently made this label easier to see at additional zoom levels."<ref>{{cite news |last1=McCartney |first1=Micah |title=Beijing Responds to Google Label in South China Sea |url=https://www.newsweek.com/china-response-south-china-sea-west-philippine-sea-label-2060273 |access-date=22 April 2025 |work=Newsweek |date=17 April 2025}}</ref>