Malaysia Bans Waze for Civil Servants Over Data Privacy

Malaysia banned civil servants from using the navigation application Waze during official duties on Wednesday over concerns that user data falls under Israeli jurisdiction.

National Security Council director-general Raja Datuk Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said department heads would oversee compliance, adding that anyone who defies the directive could face disciplinary action.

The restriction reflects tensions between Muslim-majority Malaysia, which maintains no diplomatic relations with Israel, and foreign technology platforms linked to the country.

“Claims that Waze collects sensitive government information or allows any entity to exploit personal user data are completely false,” said a Waze spokesman in a statement to Agence France-Presse.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government needed to safeguard information against potential misuse by the Israeli regime.

Anwar told reporters that the country could consider a total ban on the public if a suitable alternative to the popular application is found.

Nushirwan said the government chose not to impose an immediate nationwide prohibition in order to preserve individual freedom of choice.

“The government is balancing national security considerations with human rights, freedom of expression and the freedom to choose,” said Nushirwan at a press conference in Sepang.

Officials encouraged members of the public to uninstall Waze from their personal devices and switch to local navigation alternatives such as TuJu.

TuJu was developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority and launched its first version in November 2025.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo told Parliament on Thursday that the restriction applies specifically to civil servants performing official duties.

Waze stated that it operates under strict privacy policies that comply with global legal data protection standards.

Anwar said Malaysia remains monitored because of its opposition to Israel.

The government will periodically assess the effectiveness of the phased approach before deciding whether further measures are necessary.