Google Clarifies Maps Discrepancy Amid Contested Western Sahara Territory
In a statement released following reports of discrepancies in Google Maps regarding the disputed territory of Western Sahara, the tech giant revealed that the varying display of borders has always been part of its policies. Contrary to claims of changes made by Morocco or the Polisario Front, Google explained that its longstanding approach for handling disputed regions has resulted in different border labels being shown depending on where users are accessing Maps.
For those using Maps outside of Morocco, Western Sahara appears alongside a dotted line, symbolizing the disputed territory status. However, within Morocco's borders, the region is not displayed at all due to Google's policy of omitting disputed areas for users located in sovereign states.
The situation stems from a recent UN Security Council resolution that endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, following years of talks between Moroccan and Polisario Front representatives. The move has sparked renewed tensions among regional powers Algeria and Mauritania, with the latter supporting the Polisario Front's claims to independence.
In light of this development, Google's clarification comes as a reminder of the complexities surrounding Western Sahara's disputed status and the varying perspectives from different international actors.
In a statement released following reports of discrepancies in Google Maps regarding the disputed territory of Western Sahara, the tech giant revealed that the varying display of borders has always been part of its policies. Contrary to claims of changes made by Morocco or the Polisario Front, Google explained that its longstanding approach for handling disputed regions has resulted in different border labels being shown depending on where users are accessing Maps.
For those using Maps outside of Morocco, Western Sahara appears alongside a dotted line, symbolizing the disputed territory status. However, within Morocco's borders, the region is not displayed at all due to Google's policy of omitting disputed areas for users located in sovereign states.
The situation stems from a recent UN Security Council resolution that endorsed Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara, following years of talks between Moroccan and Polisario Front representatives. The move has sparked renewed tensions among regional powers Algeria and Mauritania, with the latter supporting the Polisario Front's claims to independence.
In light of this development, Google's clarification comes as a reminder of the complexities surrounding Western Sahara's disputed status and the varying perspectives from different international actors.
! Like, who updates these things anyway? I remember using Maps like 5 years ago and it was already showing some weird borders for Western Sahara... doesn't Google just rely on whatever the UN says at the time or something? And now Morocco's getting all upset about being able to show the whole region in their own country 
. Meanwhile, Algeria and Mauritania are like, totally salty that Polisario Front isn't getting any love 
... it's just so complicated!
so google just said they always show western sahara as disputed on maps for people outside morocco because that's their policy 
but it seems like there are some people who don't want them to do that anymore 
what's going on with morocco and the polisario front is super confusing 
i mean, the UN just endorsed morocco's plan for western sahara which is supposed to be all peaceful and stuff 
but at the same time mauritania is still supporting the polisario front's claim for independence 
anyway, it looks like google is just trying to clarify things by saying their map display is always based on where you are accessing it 
makes sense i guess 
. I mean, I know it's been a thing for ages, but I didn't realize how much Google Maps was involved in all this drama. So they're saying their maps have always shown the disputed territory differently depending on where you're looking at them? That makes sense, I guess? But it still feels kinda weird that Morocco doesn't show it on its own maps... 
And to think I was trying to navigate Western Sahara for research purposes and this is what I get 
. Seriously though, shouldn't Google have better borders to show? 
... its like, whats a dotted line even? 
... but honestly, who has time to keep track of all these borders and disputes? 
. But seriously, it's not that simple – it's all about those international lines and who gets to decide 
. Anyway, it's not like Google is trying to stir up more controversy... but if they are, at least they're good at a game of spin 
!
I just thought about how crazy it is that our maps can be so wrong on the most basic level... like, who knew there was even a debate over Western Sahara? 
️
just cuz u r in dif countries 
meanwhile, ppl on both sides of this thing are still super upset 
and now algeria & mauritania are adding fuel to the fire 
guess google maps won't be able to solve all the world's problems 
[GIF of a map with lines fading away]
[GIF of people throwing punches]
. But at the same time, it's also kinda weird that Western Sahara is only shown as a dotted line for people outside of Morocco 
.