Malaysia bans civil servants from using navigation app Waze

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 12:32 · Archive

Malaysia has banned civil servants from using the navigation app Waze, citing data security concerns linked to its Israeli origins. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's office announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that Waze Mobile Limited operates as a data controller incorporated in Israel under Israeli law.

The Malaysian government said sensitive government information and citizens' personal data must be protected from being exploited by 'the Israeli regime' in a manner that could compromise national security and sovereignty. Officials urged all Malaysians to cease using Waze and switch to local alternatives, specifically recommending the TuJu application, which the government said offers robust security guarantees and personal data protection.

The government statement emphasised a 'firm stance' to 'close any avenues that the Israeli regime could exploit to threaten the security of the nation and its people'. The restriction adds a digital security dimension to Malaysia's broader policy stance. Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim nation with no diplomatic or direct economic ties to Israel, and has consistently backed Palestinian statehood and condemned Israeli actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Waze was developed in Israel before being acquired by U.S. tech company Google in 2013.

How it is being reported

• Malaysia bans civil servants from using navigation app Waze, citing data risks over Israeli linksMalaysia has banned civil servants from using the navigation app Waze due to data security concerns linked to its Israeli origins.News4Jax · 21 Oct, 11:45
• Malaysia bans civil servants from using navigation app Waze, citing data risks over Israeli linksMalaysia has banned civil servants from using the navigation app Waze due to data security concerns linked to its Israeli origins.Clickorlando · 21 Oct, 11:45

In this story: Malaysia · Anwar Ibrahim · Waze · Google · Israel · Palestine

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem