Malaysia bans civil servants from using Waze navigation app over Israel ties

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Wednesday that civil servants would be prohibited from using the Waze navigation app.

It is to "protect government information and users' personal data from the threat of misuse by the Israeli regime," he said.

The decision was made because Waze Mobile Ltd., which controls user data, is incorporated and operates under Israeli law, according to a statement posted on US social media company X.

"Sensitive government information and citizens' personal data must be protected from being exploited by the Israeli regime in ways that could affect national security and sovereignty," according to Ibrahim.

He urged all Malaysians to stop using the app and switch to local alternatives such as TuJu.

Saadet Gökce