The government is considering a nationwide ban on Waze once local navigation apps are sufficiently developed, despite complaints about TuJu and Waze's denial of security risks.
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Malaysians could eventually lose access to Waze once the government decides that locally developed navigation apps are capable enough to replace it
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government would assess the capabilities of alternative apps before deciding whether to extend the existing restriction beyond civil servants.
Speaking to reporters after Friday prayers in Ampang on 23 October, Anwar defended the decision to ban civil servants from using Waze for official duties, saying "national security" must take priority over convenience.
"If we find tomorrow that our capabilities are good enough, then we may consider discontinuing it altogether," he told reporters when asked whether a blanket ban was being considered.
The possibility of a wider ban comes as Malaysians complain about TuJu, the local navigation app promoted by the government, while Waze has denied allegations that it poses a security risk.
Anwar said the government had examined Waze's links to Israel and the legal jurisdiction governing its terms of use before deciding to restrict its use among civil servants
He said Waze Mobile Ltd operates under Israeli law, raising concerns about the potential exposure of government information and users' personal data.
The prime minister also defended the speed of the decision, acknowledging that some people had criticised the government for acting too quickly.
"If this causes some inconvenience, I apologise. But to me, national security is more important," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
Anwar added that Malaysia's strong opposition to Israel meant the country had to remain mindful of potential security threats.
"Malaysia is among the countries that strongly oppose the cruel Zionist Israeli regime. Naturally, our actions are being monitored. I believe they will use all their influence to oppose us.
"But that is all right. The people must understand," he added.
However, the government has not publicly established that Waze has handed sensitive Malaysian government information to Israel.
Waze has rejected the government's allegations about the app's handling of user information
A Waze Mobile Ltd spokesperson told the New Straits Times yesterday, 22 October, that claims the app collects sensitive government information or allows third parties to exploit users' personal data were "completely false".
The company said it operates under strict privacy policies and complies with global data protection standards.
The National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), meanwhile, has acknowledged that there is no evidence Waze has analysed users' movement patterns in the specific way feared by the government.
However, the agency maintains that location data, travel routes, and other information collected over time could potentially reveal users' movements and daily routines.
The government's case is therefore centred on the potential security risks associated with the data and the app's legal jurisdiction, rather than publicly established evidence that Waze has misused Malaysian users' information.
So far, Waze remains accessible to Malaysians
The existing restriction applies to civil servants carrying out official duties, and ordinary Malaysians remain free to use Waze.
However, the government has encouraged the public to uninstall Waze voluntarily, citing national security concerns. The MyGOV Malaysia app has even sent users a push notification asking whether they have uninstalled it.
Anwar's latest remarks indicate that a nationwide ban remains a possibility, but no such blanket ban has been announced yet.
For now, civil servants must comply with the existing directive, while ordinary Malaysians can continue deciding which navigation app to use.
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