Malaysians who frequently rely on Waze for directions are being encouraged to consider switching to a locally developed navigation app called TuJu.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made the recommendation following concerns over the safety of users’ personal information and location data.
In a Facebook post, Anwar said the matter was discussed during the third National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN) meeting of 2026, which he chaired.
Concerns over Waze’s links to Israel
The meeting discussed potential security risks involving Malaysians’ personal information and movement data when using Waze.
He explained that the navigation app is subject to Israeli government laws, raising concerns about data security.
Waze was originally developed in Israel before being acquired by Google in 2013.
Following the discussion, Anwar encouraged Malaysians to consider using TuJu, a local navigation application developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM), as an alternative.
Civil servants banned from using Waze
In a separate development, the government has banned civil servants from using Waze with immediate effect.
Ministry and department heads have been instructed to inform their staff and ensure the decision is implemented.
However, the ban applies to civil servants, and no nationwide ban on Waze for the general public has been announced.
Launched in November 2025, TuJu is designed to help motorists plan their journeys, particularly when travelling on highways.
Some of its features include:
- Real-time traffic updates and estimated arrival times
- Toll fare calculations
- Access to highway CCTV cameras
- Information on rest stops and nearby facilities
- Emergency assistance information
Anwar stressed that protecting Malaysians’ data and identities remains a priority, adding that the government would continue strengthening digital security to ensure public services remain safe and reliable.
These efforts, he said, are important to ensure that Malaysians can benefit from digital services without compromising their privacy, security or the country’s sovereignty.
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