Technology
MapQuest app downloads surge after refusal to rename Lake Ontario
The mapping company saw usage climb to 50 times its normal rate after declining to follow a U.S. executive order renaming the body of water to Lake America.
The short version
- MapQuest's mobile app reached No. 1 in U.S. navigation and No. 2 overall in Canada after refusing to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" on its maps.
- The refusal directly defied a Trump administration executive order instructing the U.S. Department of the Interior to update the lake's geographic name.
- While competitor Google Maps agreed to comply with the federal order, MapQuest experienced hundreds of thousands of new downloads and a massive surge in usage.
Key facts
- MapQuest announced it would not rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America" despite a Trump administration executive order directing the U.S. Department of the Interior to update the name.[Slashdot]
- Google Maps announced it was complying with the executive order and changing the name.[Slashdot]
- Following its decision, MapQuest's mobile app became the No. 1 navigation app in the United States and hit No. 2 overall on Canada's App Store.[Slashdot]
- MapQuest reported receiving hundreds of thousands of new downloads, with app usage climbing to 50 times normal levels.[Slashdot]