Malaysia Bans Civil Servants From Using Israeli-Founded Navigation App Waze

According to a report by The Times of Israel on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, Malaysia has banned civil servants from using the navigation application Waze following security concerns raised by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over the app’s Israeli origins.

Anwar said the government was examining potential security risks associated with the application, which provides real-time traffic information using satellite signals and data collected from drivers.

In a Facebook post following a meeting of the national cybersecurity committee, the Malaysian prime minister stressed that protecting citizens’ information and identities remained a priority. He argued that the country could not compromise on data security and claimed that Waze was subject to Israeli laws.

However, Anwar did not provide specific details about the potential security risks identified by the government or explain how the application could expose users’ information.

Instead, he recommended TuJu, a domestic mapping application developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority, as an alternative for navigation and travel information.

Malaysia’s Chief Secretary to the Government, Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, subsequently confirmed the directive through a letter addressed to the heads of government agencies.

The letter stated that the prohibition followed a decision taken during the cybersecurity committee meeting chaired by Anwar. It also specified that the restriction would take effect immediately.

An official from the Prime Minister’s Department confirmed the authenticity of the letter, establishing that the directive applied to civil servants across government agencies.

Waze was founded in Israel and became widely known for its community-based navigation system, which allows drivers to share information about traffic conditions, road incidents and other developments affecting journeys.

The application was acquired by Google, which is owned by Alphabet, in 2013 for approximately $1 billion. Since then, it has remained one of the widely recognised navigation services used by motorists in different countries.

The Malaysian government’s decision places the application under scrutiny because of concerns about data protection and its origins, although authorities have not publicly disclosed technical evidence demonstrating a specific security threat.

Anwar has previously faced criticism over remarks concerning Israel and Jewish influence. His past comments have included allegations about Mossad’s involvement in Malaysian affairs and claims concerning Jewish control of a public relations firm hired by former prime minister Najib Razak.

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