Turns out Google already had another cartographic controversy on its hands.
Earlier this week we learned of an Israeli city's slander lawsuit against the search giant based upon Google's refusal to remove a user-generated Google Earth notation that identifies the community of Kiryat Yam as Arab Ghawarina. A Google spokesperson told me that the notation violated no aspect of the company's terms of use agreement, no matter how much it violated the sensibilities of Kiryat Yam officials.
In this second controversy, however, Google does not have the "We didn't do it" card at its disposal. That's because Google itself has renamed the Persian Gulf.
They can do that?
Mother Jones blogger Justin Elliott explains:
The problem comes in the form of a letter to Google's CEO from the National Iranian American Council loudly protesting the inclusion in Google Earth of the term "Arabian Gulf" - along with the more common "Persian Gulf."
Only a few years ago, in 2004, Google's co-founders told shareholders that "focused objectivity" was a trait "most important in Google's past success" and "most fundamental for its future." But that was before Google Earth. And if the two complaints this month show anything, it's that a map is a highly subjective thing. Including "Arabian Gulf" was a classic hedge on Google's part, probably an attempt to strive for that ideal of objectivity. NIAC's letter, however, explains the term's somewhat untoward history:
You can read that letter here.
The group says that the National Geographic Society "made the same error" in 2004 and willingly corrected itself after NIAC complained.
Google has yet to reply to inquiries from Mother Jones.
Perhaps the programmers behind Google Earth should just pretend that the Middle East has dropped off the map altogether. Drastic, yes, but their lives would be made so much simpler.
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Persian Gulf is the correct term
Thank you for highligting this issue.
The correct name of the water body is legally Persian Gulf.
Google would make a big mistake if they dont correc themselves with Un directives.
However, the campign of National geography that you mention had nothing to do with NIAC( a islamic republic lobby group).
National geography backed their claim thank to the Iranian opposition groups and the facts provided.
you can see the process below:
http://marzeporgohar.org/index.php?l=1&cat=24&scat=37
This would really offend
This would really offend Iranian (Persians) imagine how Europeans would feel if they renamed the Meditaranean "the sea of africa" or if the water bordering Israel was called "the Israeli ocean" My advice is to call a rose a rose, cause calling it someone else's daisy will cause trouble.
Google makes business sense
Please understand Google’s position on calling Persian Gulf "Arabian gulf” on Google Earth. Despite all history, geography,political books and evidence it must be a business decision to appease to some of the Arabian countries in the Persian Gulf in order to allow Google, presence on their land. You see, Google has been very nervous lately with Microsoft/Yahoo moving onc their territory. Survival is name of the game, even if it takes distorting reality. Business must go on.
Google
I only see this: I used to love Google. But from today “Google go to hell” I will ban it every where I go. I will advice all my friends or anyone I know to stop using programs from Hail to Bill Gates .I hope he makes the Google go to dust.
Omid Kordestani head of Googles global sales
why don't Iranians just send a complain email to Omid Kordestani, he is after all the head of global sales at Google!!!
Imagine if gets bombarded by email from Iranians from all walks of life soemething might happen.
Just my two cents.
Peace.
Now we know !
Recently it was revealed that Google’s map division is managed by Miss teen South Carolina and in response to a question as to the reason behind Google’s decision in renaming the Persian Gulf, she replied: "because uh some uh people in our company don't have maps and uh I believe that our education like such as in Microsoft and uh the- the Yahoo everywhere like such as and I believe that they should uh our education over here in the Google should help the Google make more profit."
Google makes business sense
"Survival is name of the game, even if it takes distorting reality. Business must go on.
Utter BS. If it is ok to outright lie and obfuscate the truth for the betterment of business, then why can I not do it, to better MY financial situation?
What a load of utter, unadulterated CRAP!
Obviously, this comment was written by an established CEO (Chief Embezzling Officr).
So money should rule? Is that what you're saying?
Anonymous, you're asking us to please understand that google is forced to use the false name of "Arabian Gulf", because otherwise it would be denied a presence in certain Arab countries. This is outrageous! Google is submitting to pure blackmailing for the sake of money, which google already has more than plenty of! That's immoral, unethical and disgusting! This is serious business. How can we tolerate that a big corporation such as google just changes the names of internationally recongnized geographical bodies.
an ambiguous April 8 blog post on Google's Public Policy Blog: "As the publishers of a geographic reference tool, we believe that Google should not choose sides in international geopolitical disputes. For this reason, we've chosen to implement a uniform policy of "Primary Local Usage."
Well, based on this statement, we should demand that google uses the name of "Palestine" along side with "Israel" on their map! There is no reason why google should not fulfil this request since Palestinians, other Arabs and opponents of zionism use the name of "Palestine" instead of "Israel".
Persian gulf
Hello dear Freind. I just have something to say. While I respect your point regarding "business should go on"!! What about the truth. No one believes a big lie will create a long term successful business, I mean a genuine business. I am sure Google and microsoft etc... are people of true power and integrity. I do not believe THEY need to run their business by supporting an untrue belief of some people in Arab countries.
it seems it is all about
it seems it is all about money. Butr we now know that the biggest pain of humanity is unhappiness and no money can buy that happiness. are you calling bad karma to yourselves guys. Please.
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