Malaysia may expand Waze ban beyond civil servants, Anwar indicates

The Malaysian government is considering an outright prohibition of the Waze navigation application, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as authorities grapple with unspecified security issues related to the platform's use.

Anwar announced that civil servants have already been instructed to cease using the app while performing official functions, citing potential risks to national security. The initial directive targeted government employees, but the premier's comments suggest the administration may pursue more comprehensive restrictions affecting the broader population.

The security concerns underlying the proposed measure remain largely undisclosed, though navigation apps have previously drawn scrutiny from governments over data privacy and real-time location-sharing capabilities. Such platforms collect detailed information on user movements and travel patterns, raising concerns among security officials in various nations.

The potential ban marks a significant step in Malaysia's approach to regulating technology platforms used by the public. Should the government proceed with a full prohibition, it would represent one of the strictest measures taken against a widely-used navigation service in the region.

No timeline has been provided for any formal ban announcement or implementation.