CYBERJAYA: Malaysians are discouraged from using the Waze navigation app to reduce the risk of exposing their location, movement and activity data.
National Security Council director-general Datuk Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said the move followed concerns over the app's collection of user data, including when it was not actively being used, depending on device settings.
"I would like to stress here that this ban applies to members of the civil service when carrying out official duties.
"However, civil servants are encouraged to uninstall the app from their personal devices.
"Even when we are not using Waze, the app can still collect data.
"The public is also encouraged to take the same step by uninstalling the app," he told a press conference here today.
He said TuJu, developed with the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA) under the Works Ministry, could be used as an alternative, along with other suitable navigation apps, including Google Maps.
He said the government was committed to developing the local information and communications technology (ICT) industry and ensuring Malaysia became a producer of artificial intelligence (AI) technology and ICT applications.
"If Malaysians themselves do not support apps developed in the country, that goal will be difficult to achieve," he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday directed civil servants to stop using Waze and appealed to the public to do the same, citing concerns that sensitive government information and personal data could be exploited by Israel.
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