Printed maps are printed _somewhere_, and have to follow that where's laws. Naturally, a (for example) US-printed map can draw foreign disputed borders as dispu

Printed maps are printed _somewhere_, and have to follow that where's laws. Naturally, a (for example) US-printed map can draw foreign disputed borders as disputed or either side's. Now, if that same map was to be distributed in one of the disputing countries, that's another story, and even representing disputedness can be illegal. Since Google wants to distribute their maps globally, they can either show the "correct" maps, or block access from people in countries with disputed borders. Their business model being what it is, they chose to redraw maps when necessary.