KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia | October 21, 2026 | Malaysia has banned civil servants from using the navigation app Waze while performing official duties, citing concerns over the security of location and movement data and the app’s links to Israel.
Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar issued the directive on October 20 following a decision by the National Cyber Security Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Government ministries and agencies were instructed to implement the restriction immediately.
The government said its concerns stem from Waze Mobile Ltd.’s incorporation and operations under Israeli law. Prime Minister Anwar also urged Malaysians to consider abandoning the app in favor of local alternatives, although the binding restriction specifically applies to civil servants carrying out official duties.
The government has recommended TuJu, a navigation application developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority, as an alternative. According to Malaysia’s national news agency, Bernama, TuJu offers route guidance, estimated travel times, toll information, traffic updates, highway rest-area details and access to live closed-circuit television feeds.
Waze was founded in Israel in 2006 and acquired by Google in 2013. It relies on location information and user-reported traffic conditions to provide navigation and real-time road updates. However, the government’s announcement did not publicly present specific evidence that Waze had transferred Malaysian government information to Israeli authorities.
Malaysia has long supported Palestinian statehood and does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. The restriction highlights the intersection of geopolitical tensions, data sovereignty and cybersecurity as governments increasingly scrutinize the digital services used by public officials.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
