‘Ban will protect civil servants' However, experts say that any substitute app must guarantee data security

Oct 22, 2026

Decision to ban civil servants from using the Waze navigation app is presented as a proactive privacy and data-protection measure. Cybersecurity experts argue any replacement navigation apps must meet the same data security standards. The move is linked to limiting exposure of civil servants’ movement data, especially those handling classified information or operating in undisclosed locations. Further commentary notes risks around location data collection and encourages users to review permissions and delete unnecessary location history.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

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‘Ban will protect civil servants'

Need for equivalent security for substitute apps

Privacy risks of movement and location data

Government explanation and public guidance

| SEKTOR DOKUMENTASI PENDIDIKAN
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Faks:03-88846284 | | --- | | | ## TARIKH:22 OKTOBER 2026(KHAMIS) #### UTUSAN M’SIA N.STRAITS TIMES ### SINAR HARIAN □ #### THE STAR # ‘Ban will protect civil servants'However,experts say that any substitute app must guarantee data security By KHOO GEK SAN, QISTINA SALLEHUDDIN and ANGELIN YEOH newsdesk@thestar.com.my 22-lo.802 PC2 KUALA LUMPUR:The decisionto ban civil servants from usingthe Waze navigation app is a pro-active measure to protect theirprivacy and data,say experts. However,they say any substi-tute app must also be held to thesame standards and guaranteedata security. "The government decision lim-its the exposure of civil servants'movement data,particularlythose with access to classifiedinformation or involved in criti-cal missions at undisclosed loca-tions,”said cybersecurity expertFong Choong Fook. Fong said the same standardsfor data protection should applyto homegrown navigation appslike TuJu and Pintaz. "They must also undergo rigor-should be prohibited from usingous security assessments toit,"the Alor Setar MP said duringensure the data they store andthe Budget 2027 debate in themanage is adequately protected.”Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Dr Manjeevan Singh Seera,anassociate professor at the MonashUniversity Malaysia School ofBusiness,said that there was aneed to separate political con-cerns from cybersecurity risks. Malaysian Cyber ConsumerAssociation(MCCA)presidentSiraj Jalil praised the ban,sayinghe had previously urged the gov-ernment to review the use ofWaze back in October. He said Malaysia's non-recogni-tion of Israel could complicateefforts by Malaysian users shouldthey seek legal recourse over howtheir data is processed. "Waze itself maintains naviga-tion and travel history,whichusers can access through theapp,"he said,adding that if suchinformation were to fall into thewrong hands,it could potentiallybe used to track individuals oridentify their daily routines. "However,having the ability totrack someone doesn't necessari-ly mean the information is beingmisused.That's an important dis-tinction,"he added. Manjeevan said there was noneed for Malaysians to panic orstop using Waze. A PAS MP,however,wanted thegovernment to explain why therestriction was only for civil serv-ants. AfnanHamimiTaibAzamudden asked why therestriction was not extended tothe wider public if the app indeedposed a security threat. "If Waze is dangerous,then donot allow it in Malaysia.Everyone "The risks are different for civil movements,journeys and deviceservants,particularly those whoinformation.may travel to sensitive govern-Such data,when collectedment locations,"he added.repeatedly and analysed collec-He advised users to be cautioustively,could reveal users'move-about the information they sharement patterns and activities,when signing up for apps,includ-Nacsa said.ing email addresses,phone num-bers and location permissions. "While there is no evidence thatWaze analyses users'data in thisway,the possibility that the infor-mation could be used or exposedto such analysis remains a risk,”Nacsa said. "It's also good practice to reviewand delete unnecessary locationhistory in all apps,"he added. The government has explainedthat security and data protectionconcerns had prompted themove. The agency added that the appis developed by Waze Mobile Ltd,a company registered and incor-porated according to the laws ofIsrael. It also said the ban applies tocivil servants only when carryingout their official duties. However,civil servants areencouraged to uninstall the appli-cation from their devices. In an FAQ on the matter,theNational Cyber Security Agency(Nacsa)said Waze collects datasuch as users’location data,

FAQs

What risks are associated with using navigation apps like Waze?

Waze can maintain navigation and travel history that may be used to track individuals or identify daily routines if the information falls into the wrong hands.

Oct 22, 2026

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