Waze can no longer be used by civil servants in Malaysia, after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim decided to bar the navigation app across the public service. At the same time, the government is also urging all Malaysians to stop using Waze and switch to local alternatives such as TuJu.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) today, the decision was made to protect government information and users’ personal data from being misused by the Israeli regime. The PMO said the move takes into account the position of Waze Mobile Ltd as the controller of user data, as the company is incorporated and operates under Israeli law.
“Sensitive government information and the rakyat’s personal data must be protected against use by the Israeli regime in ways that could compromise the country’s safety and sovereignty.” – Prime Minister’s Office.
The decision follows a National Cyber Security Committee meeting chaired by Anwar on 20 October. A circular from Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, dated the same day, directed civil servants to stop using Waze immediately, with all secretaries-general and heads of department required to pass the instruction on to officers under them.
In a separate statement, the National Security Council (MKN) said the government views seriously the collection of users’ location, movement, travel and device data by Waze. This is especially so as Waze’s Terms of Use state that Israeli law applies, and that Israeli courts have jurisdiction over any disputes related to the service. MKN added that location data and movement patterns are sensitive information, particularly when they involve official matters and the country’s strategic interests.
For the general public, it’s worth noting that this is a recommendation rather than a ban. Both the PMO and MKN have advised Malaysians to switch to local navigation apps such as TuJu, or other suitable local apps, taking into account the security and personal data protection they offer.
If you have more questions about the directive, the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) has published a FAQ on its website. Civil servants with enquiries or requests for clarification can also reach out to NACSA, which is coordinating the matter.
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