Google has denied allegations that it recently modified the display of Western Sahara on Google Maps for users in Morocco, insisting that the border representation has always varied depending on the user’s location. The clarification comes after media reports suggested that Google had removed the dotted line marking the disputed territory for Moroccan users, sparking concerns that the company was aligning with international political developments.
In a statement to AFP on Tuesday, a Google spokesperson said, “We have not made changes to Morocco or Western Sahara on Google Maps. These labels follow our longstanding policies for disputed regions. People using Maps outside of Morocco see Western Sahara and a dotted line to represent its disputed border; people using Maps in Morocco do not see Western Sahara.”
Western Sahara, a sparsely populated but resource-rich territory in North Africa, has been at the center of a decades-long dispute. The region, formerly a Spanish colony, is largely controlled by Morocco, which considers it an integral part of its territory. However, the pro-independence Polisario Front, backed by Algeria, continues to demand full sovereignty for Western Sahara. The United Nations classifies the territory as “non-self-governing” and has repeatedly called for a negotiated solution to the conflict.
The controversy over Google Maps arose shortly after the UN Security Council endorsed Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara, a proposal first introduced in 2007. The plan would grant Western Sahara a degree of self-governance while remaining under Moroccan sovereignty. The endorsement, supported by the United States during the Trump administration, was rejected by the Polisario Front, which insists that the people of Western Sahara should determine their own future through a UN-supervised referendum.
Analysts say Google’s approach—displaying disputed regions differently based on location—is consistent with how many tech companies handle sensitive geopolitical issues. The practice aims to respect local laws and user expectations while avoiding taking a position on complex territorial conflicts. “Technology companies are increasingly caught between global politics and local realities,” said a digital mapping expert. “Even small design choices, like a dotted line on a map, can spark international attention.”
The situation in Western Sahara remains tense, with sporadic clashes reported along the Moroccan-Polisario frontier and ongoing diplomatic efforts to restart negotiations. Morocco’s control of the territory has strategic importance due to its mineral resources, Atlantic coastline, and proximity to North African neighbors. Algeria, a strong supporter of the Polisario Front, has repeatedly criticized Morocco’s claim to the region, complicating regional diplomacy.
This episode highlights the broader challenges faced by multinational technology companies in providing accurate and politically sensitive information. Digital maps, increasingly relied upon by millions worldwide for navigation, research, and policy planning, must balance objectivity with the complex realities of international disputes. Google’s statement aims to clarify that its mapping policy has remained consistent and is not influenced by recent political developments.
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Google Refutes Claims of Altering Western Sahara Border for Moroccan Users
Share Google has denied allegations that it recently modified the display of Western Sahara on Google Maps for users in Morocco, insisting that the border representation has always varied depending on the user’s location. The clarification comes after media reports suggested that Google had removed the dotted line marking the disputed territory for Moroccan users,…
