Google Maps changes China's borders based on its viewers' locations
There are 32 countries that Google Maps refuses to draw borders around, but Quartz has unearthed another politically correct feature of the site: The borders of Arunachal Pradesh are different when viewed from different locations.
Quartz created GIFs showing how the region's borders change when viewed from various countries. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as a section of Tibet, and the region is shown as part of China when viewed in China. But for viewers in India, the region is shown as a part of India. When viewed from the U.S., the region is distinct from either country.
(Quartz)
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Similarly, the border between China and Bhutan has long been an area of contention, and the country's borders change when viewed from China:
(Quartz)
"Google Maps makes every effort to depict disputed regions and features objectively," a company spokeswoman told Quartz. Where we have local versions, we follow local regulations for naming and borders."
