Technology · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia's civil servants barred from using Waze over Israel ownership
Malaysian government employees have been prohibited from using the Waze navigation application effective immediately due to concerns over the app's Israeli ownership. The move reflects growing scrutiny of foreign technology platforms in the public sector.
LSN Malaysia ·
KUALA LUMPUR — Civil servants in Malaysia are no longer permitted to use the Waze navigation application, with the ban taking effect immediately. The decision stems from the app's ownership ties to Israel, according to government directives issued this week.
The restriction applies across all government departments and agencies, requiring civil servants to seek alternative navigation solutions for official duties. No official statement has detailed specific security or operational concerns, though the move aligns with Malaysia's longstanding position on Middle East geopolitical matters.
Waze, which provides real-time traffic navigation and crowdsourced road information, is owned by Google, which acquired the Israeli company in 2013. The app has millions of users across Malaysia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
The ban represents an escalation in scrutiny of technology platforms with Israeli connections operating in Malaysia. Government officials have not specified whether the prohibition extends to personal use by civil servants or only official departmental applications.