CYBERJAYA, October 22 2026, The National Security Council (MKN) has warned that location and movement data collected by navigation application Waze could potentially be exploited by malicious parties using artificial intelligence (AI).
MKN director-general Datuk Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin said the government’s decision to prohibit civil servants from using Waze for official duties was driven by concerns over data security and national information sovereignty.
He said the application collects various user details, including location, travel movements and device information. Depending on device settings, certain data may also be collected when the application is not actively in use.
When combined and analysed, such information could reveal users’ movement patterns and activities, raising particular concerns involving civil servants.
Raja Nushirwan also highlighted the legal jurisdiction governing Waze’s data following changes to its terms of use. The application’s owner, Waze Mobile Limited, is incorporated in Israel, and its updated terms stipulate that the service is subject to Israeli law.
He said the issue extended beyond technology to include the legal framework governing personal information, stressing that the government would prioritise protecting Malaysians’ data and safeguarding national information sovereignty.
He also urged the public to be more cautious about sharing personal information through digital applications, noting that data had become a valuable resource for technology and AI platforms.
The government announced the Waze restriction for civil servants on Oct 21 over concerns about the potential misuse of government information and personal data.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the decision took into account Waze Mobile Limited’s status as a data controller operating under Israeli law.
Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar clarified that the restriction applies to civil servants while performing official duties.
— BERNAMA
