Google Maps Erases Disputed Borders for Profit, Not Peace
The Guardian reports Google Maps discreetly erases the Western Sahara border for users in Morocco, only highlighting it for the rest of the world. This digital sleight-of-hand conveniently aligns with Morocco's claims, especially after the UN Security Council's nod to the Moroccan autonomy plan. (One wonders if the UN council's travel agents use this version of Google Maps for their Moroccan
excursions.) This isn't just a map error; it's a digital land grab. Google, like many corporations, demonstrates a selective commitment to objective reality when geopolitical ambitions—and market access—come into play. It's a familiar pattern: what's 'disputed' is often just 'inconvenient' for those with power. One might ask, if a border ceases to exist on Google Maps, does it still make a sound
in the real world?