Waze App Could Face Nationwide Ban – PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has not ruled out the possibility of imposing a complete ban on the Waze navigation application if available local alternatives prove sufficiently capable.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision would depend on an assessment of existing alternatives, with national security taking precedence over the convenience offered by the application.

“I will not allow civil servants to use it under any circumstances. Waze is banned.

“We need to examine the available alternatives. If we find that their capabilities are sufficiently good, we may consider using the existing alternatives.

“However, for now, the ban remains in effect,” he told reporters after Friday prayers at Al Mustaqim Mosque here today.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the decision, Anwar acknowledged that the limitations of local alternatives were among the concerns raised but stressed that these should not outweigh national security interests.

“The main concern is not merely where a company operates, but rather the application of Israeli laws to the terms of use of the application.

“This matter requires serious attention to ensure that government information and citizens’ data are not exposed to security risks,” he added.

Therefore, further assessments of local alternatives must continue before any decision is made on a nationwide ban on Waze.

On Wednesday, the government decided to prohibit civil servants from using the Waze navigation application to protect government information and users’ personal data from potential misuse by the Israeli regime.

In an earlier statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the decision was made after considering the status of Waze Mobile Ltd as the controller of user data, incorporated and operating under the laws of the Israeli regime.

AWANI