KUALA LUMPUR: Waze has been urged to explain allegations that data linked to the navigation application was leaked and offered for sale on the dark web.
Government spokesperson Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the Personal Data Protection Department (JPDP) would be consulted on any investigation required, subject to the relevant legal procedures.
However, the Communications Minister said he could not confirm whether Malaysians’ personal data was involved in the alleged leak.
Fahmi called on Waze to clarify how the alleged data breach occurred and whether any personal information had been obtained and sold by unauthorised parties.
On the possibility of restricting the application through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), he said further action would depend on obtaining the minutes of the National Cyber Security Committee meeting where the matter was discussed.
He said the timeline would depend on the process of obtaining the meeting records and relevant instructions.
Fahmi added that the security advisory on Waze followed feedback from the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) to the National Security Council (MKN), before the matter was brought to the committee.
He identified two key concerns: the collection and processing of data associated with the application, including its transfer to Israel, and the fact that legal disputes would be handled through courts in that country.
-AWANI
