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DATA security has become a national strategic priority.
In an increasingly technology-dependent world, personal information, location data and movement patterns are no longer just ordinary data, as they could pose significant security risks if they fall into the wrong hands.
The government’s concerns over the potential misuse of civil servants’ data through navigation applications such as Waze should not be taken lightly.
Protecting sensitive information, particularly information involving national interests, must be a priority, but efforts to safeguard digital security should not stop at banning a single application.
Instead, the move should pave the way for a more comprehensive approach to assessing the security of digital platforms used by civil servants and the public.
The issue also presents an opportunity for Malaysia to strengthen its digital sovereignty through local technology development, cybersecurity expertise and more robust data management policies.
Reliance on foreign platforms does not automatically pose a risk, but every technology must be assessed based on its intended use and the sensitivity of the data involved.
In this context, expanding the use of local navigation applications such as TuJu could help strengthen the country’s technological capabilities, but support for local products should not rely solely on restrictions against competitors.
Instead, local applications must demonstrate their capabilities through accurate road information, reliable traffic updates, user-friendly features and strong data protection measures.
Users must also be given clear information on how their data is handled to build public confidence.
Ultimately, digital sovereignty is not merely about deciding which applications can or cannot be used, but about establishing comprehensive security policies, developing competitive technological capabilities and building public confidence in data protection.
