In a move that has stirred conversations online, Google has eliminated default entries for certain cultural events, including Pride Month and Black History Month, from its popular online calendar app. Users across the globe have recently noticed these omissions, which sparked discussion, especially with the approach of events that were previously automatically noted.
However, Google clarified that this change was implemented halfway through the previous year. For a long time, Google Calendar, leveraging data from timeanddate.com, incorporated both public holidays and a diverse set of cultural observances across numerous countries. This list was supplemented by Google's manual additions of significant cultural moments. These efforts aimed to enhance global representation within the app.
The rationale for this update, as explained by the California-based tech company, revolves around scalability and sustainability. According to Google, the manual incorporation of hundreds of cultural events across diverse global regions proved to be challenging. Therefore, mid-2024 saw a return to the basics – listing only public holidays and national observances from timeanddate.com – while granting users the freedom to add personalized cultural moments manually.
Google has not specified which cultural events were removed following this update, leaving room for speculation among users and tech enthusiasts on platforms like social media. These discussions highlighted the absence of important observances, such as Indigenous Peoples Month and Holocaust Remembrance Day, alongside the already mentioned Pride and Black History Month.
In a separate yet notable Google initiative, changes to Google Maps were also brought into the spotlight. Following directives by former President Donald Trump, Google Maps implemented name changes for certain geographical features. This included renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and reverting Denali's name to Mt. McKinley. The changes align with Google's policy of updating names based on official government records.
Google Maps users within the U.S. now see these updated names, whereas those accessing the tool from other parts of the world may still encounter dual naming. While Denali retains its name universally across Google's domains, future updates will depend on official geopolitical naming records.
Moreover, Google’s focus on aligning with government directives extends to its diversity hiring practices. Responding to a recent executive order, the company has outlined plans to reevaluate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategies, a move shared by other major U.S. corporations following similar directives.
This strategic adaptation by Google highlights the complex interplay between corporate policies, cultural expectations, and governmental regulations. As users continue to adapt to these changes, the balance between cultural representation and scalability in tech solutions remains a critical conversation.