Malaysia Bans Government Employees from Using Israeli App

The Malaysian government has banned government employees from using Waze, a navigation app developed in Israel. This decision follows concerns raised by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding potential security risks linked to the app’s Israeli origins.

This information was reported by *The Times of Israel* on Wednesday (October 21).

According to the report, the Malaysian government is investigating whether the use of Waze poses any security risks. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the app is subject to Israeli law.

In a Facebook post following a meeting of the National Cyber ​​Security Committee, Anwar emphasized that there would be no compromise when it comes to the security of individuals' personal data and identities.

However, he did not provide specific details regarding the nature of the potential security risks associated with Waze. As an alternative, the Prime Minister suggested using "Tuju," a local map-based app developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority.

Meanwhile, in a letter addressed to the heads of government agencies, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that the use of Waze by government employees has been prohibited. This directive follows a decision made during a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister. The letter further stated that the ban takes effect immediately.

An official from the Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed the authenticity of the letter.

Waze is a navigation app built on Israeli technology. It analyzes satellite signals and data provided by drivers to offer real-time updates on road traffic conditions. In 2013, Alphabet—the parent company of Google—acquired the app for approximately $1 billion.