PUTRAJAYA: Concerns over the collection and processing of Waze navigation data in Israel, as well as questions over legal jurisdiction and alleged data leaks, were among the cybersecurity issues that led the government to ban the application, particularly for civil servants.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the concerns were raised following feedback from the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), which was conveyed to the National Security Council (MKN) before being brought to the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN).
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He said the government had also questioned which legal jurisdiction would apply in the event of disputes involving the application, given that Malaysia does not recognise Israel and has no diplomatic relations with the country.
“The information conveyed also involved the collection and processing of data linked to the application in Israel. That was a major concern raised,” he said at his weekly press conference here today.
Fahmi said the government was also taking seriously allegations of data leaks involving Waze, including reports that data had been obtained by irresponsible parties and subsequently sold on the dark web.
He called on Waze to clarify the allegations, including how personal data could have fallen into the hands of unauthorised parties.
However, Fahmi said he could not confirm whether Malaysians’ data had been affected by the alleged breach.
He added that the Personal Data Protection Department (JPDP) could also be consulted to determine the scope of any investigation required, subject to the relevant legal processes.