Waze Denies Data Security Risks Following Malaysia’s Government Ban
Waze rejects allegations of data exploitation after Malaysia bans civil servants from using the app, citing concerns over Israeli legal jurisdiction.
POLICY WIRE — Singapore — The navigation platform Waze issued a formal rebuttal on Thursday, October 22, regarding accusations that it harvests sensitive government intelligence or facilitates the exploitation of user data. This response follows a directive from the Malaysian government one day prior, which prohibited civil servants from utilizing the application and encouraged the general public to remove it from their devices.
In a statement provided to Reuters, the company characterized claims of data misuse as entirely false. A spokesperson emphasized that Waze operates under rigorous privacy protocols designed to safeguard user information while adhering to international legal standards for data protection.
The controversy stems from an order by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who mandated an immediate cessation of Waze usage among government employees. The Prime Minister’s Office stated the move was intended to protect national information and personal data from potential misuse by the Israeli regime, noting that Waze is subject to Israeli law.
As an alternative, the government has promoted TuJu, a navigation tool developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority. Launched in November 2025, the app offers live traffic feeds, toll fare calculations, and an emergency SOS feature. According to reports from Bernama, the app has reached 700,000 downloads, though it recently faced technical instability due to a sudden surge in new users.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo clarified that the ban is limited to civil servants and does not restrict the general public. He noted that government employees are permitted to use other alternatives, such as Google Maps, for official tasks. The minister expressed concern that Waze’s connection to Israeli jurisdiction could complicate legal recourse and threaten the sovereignty of Malaysian data.
Waze, which was established in Israel and acquired by Alphabet-owned Google in 2013, relies on satellite data and real-time driver input to provide navigation services. Malaysia, which maintains no diplomatic ties with Israel, continues to emphasize that its decision is rooted in both technological security and the legal frameworks governing user data.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
