SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Google Inc.’s online mapping service has changed the name of a Libyan location to what it was called before Moammar Gadhafi rose to power four decades ago.
The change came late Sunday, just hours after rebel forces pushed into Tripoli with little resistance.
“Green Square” is now “Martyrs’ Square” on the online map for Tripoli, reflecting what rebels are now calling it.
The change was made quickly because Google now allows users to update its maps. A user did just that on Sunday night. Google approved it, making it visible to the public, shortly thereafter.
Although the square’s name has been re-labeled on the map, users can find it by searching either name.
Google uses a broad range of sources to keep its maps up to date. This includes public and commercial data providers as well as user contributions.
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