Malaysia Restricts Waze to Protect Government Data, Says Anwar

Malaysia's government has moved to limit access to the Waze navigation application, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stating the measure is necessary to safeguard classified government information and citizens' personal data from potential misuse.

Anwar said the restrictions are aimed at preventing sensitive data from being accessed or exploited by foreign governments or entities, emphasising the importance of protecting national security interests alongside individual privacy rights.

The decision reflects growing concerns among regional governments over data security vulnerabilities associated with third-party applications and the potential for foreign surveillance or intelligence gathering through digital platforms.

The move aligns with broader efforts by Malaysia to strengthen its cybersecurity posture and ensure that critical infrastructure and government operations remain protected from external threats. Officials have indicated that the restrictions will be implemented while alternatives are evaluated to maintain public access to reliable navigation services.

The government has not specified the full scope of the limitations or provided a timeline for implementation, indicating that further details would be announced through official channels.