Waze reportedly rejects Malaysia governments data security allegations

Waze has rejected Malaysia governments data security allegations after the government barred civil servants from using the navigation app for official duties on 20 October.

In a statement to the Associated Press (AP) on 22 October, a Waze spokesperson described allegations on the app collecting sensitive government information “completely false”. It also rebuked notions of collecting and exploiting personal data.

“Waze operates under strict privacy policies that protect user data and comply with global legal data protection standards,” the spokesperson told AP. Waze, which was developed in Israel before being acquired by Google in 2013, has disputed the allegations. The company did not comment on its Israeli connections in its response to AP.

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The response followed Malaysia’s decision to prohibit civil servants from using Waze while performing official duties. This decision was made at a National Cyber Security Committee meeting chaired by the prime minister on 20 October. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, factors taken into account included Waze Mobile Limited’s incorporation in Israel and its operation under Israeli law, raising concerns over the potential exposure of sensitive government information and users’ movement data.

Malaysia has supported Palestine since gaining independence in 1957, a sentiment that has been sustained by citizens the past few years.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, consumer boycotts have affected brands perceived to have links to Israel. A+M previously reported that 52% of surveyed Malaysians had boycotted brands they believed were doing business with Israel, with more than 60% of those boycotters opting for local brands.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also urged Malaysians to stop using Waze and switch to local alternatives, including TuJu, developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) in collaboration with Prosignal Consortium. The push towards a homegrown alternative has been met with a rocky start with users having glitches with TuJu.

According to Malay Mail, LLM has apologised in a statement on 22 October for disruptions affecting TuJu, saying it would work with Prosignal Consortium to investigate the issues, stabilise the system and increase its capacity following a significant surge in users.

The problems have also surfaced in online discussions, with users on Threads reporting glitches and questioning whether TuJu can match the navigation experience offered by established platforms.

Malaysia has been stepping up efforts to strengthen oversight of digital technologies, including through a proposed Artificial Intelligence Governance Bill aimed at establishing a national framework for the safe and responsible use of AI.

The proposed legislation outlines principles including accountability, safety and security, and responsible data governance, reflecting wider regulatory attention on how technology is developed and deployed.

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