Govt Bans Civil Servants From Using Waze Over Data Security Concerns

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 21 (Bernama) -- The government has decided to prohibit all civil servants from using the Waze navigation app to protect government information and users’ personal data from the threat of misuse by the Israeli regime.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision took into account the fact that Waze Mobile Ltd, which controls user data, is incorporated and operates under Israeli law.

“Sensitive government information and the personal data of the people must be protected from being exploited by the Israeli regime in ways that could jeopardise the country’s security and sovereignty,” he said in a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today.

At the same time, the Prime Minister urged all Malaysians to also stop using the Waze application and switch to local alternatives such as TuJu, taking into account the security assurances and personal data protection offered by the app.

“The MADANI Government’s stance is firm, and we will close any avenues that could be exploited by the Israeli regime to threaten the security of the country and its people,” he said.

Yesterday, Anwar said the government encouraged the public to use the local TuJu application, developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority, as an alternative for road navigation.

He said the alternative was proposed following concerns over the security of information and data on the public’s movements arising from the use of the Waze application, which is subject to Israeli law.

The matter was among those discussed at the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN) Meeting No. 3/2026, which he chaired yesterday.

-- BERNAMA