Malaysia's government is considering whether to broaden its restriction on Waze beyond state employees to encompass the entire population, according to statements made by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Friday. The expansion of the ban would proceed only after the authorities assess whether domestic technology companies can develop a comparable navigation platform, he explained.

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur to journalists via Bernama, the national news agency, Anwar acknowledged the inconvenience the measure would create but emphasized that safeguarding national security took precedence. Officials plan to investigate whether Malaysian firms possess the capability to create an equivalent application, he said.

The prohibition affecting government workers commenced on 21 October, as reported by The Edge. The government's rationale centered on concerns that Israel could exploit state information and personal details belonging to Malaysian citizens. Waze Mobile Ltd, the company operating the service, is an Israeli entity subject to Israeli legislation.

Google acquired Waze in 2013 and continues to own the platform. Despite the civil service ban, Google Maps and comparable applications remain accessible to ordinary citizens, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo informed parliament on Thursday, according to The Edge. The restriction applies exclusively to work-related activities, Gobind clarified. Meanwhile, Malaysia's National Security Council has recommended that the public contemplate removing Waze from their devices, Malay Mail reported. Civil servants who violate the ban face potential disciplinary action.

Waze has contested the government's position. In correspondence with TNGlobal, the company denied assertions that it gathers classified government data.

Waze operates under strict privacy policies that protect user data and comply with global legal data protection standards

Waze, in a statement to TNGlobal

The Malaysian authorities are promoting TuJu as the preferred alternative. The Malaysian Highway Authority developed this application in collaboration with Prosignal Consortium, introducing it to the market in November 2025.

Anwar conceded that TuJu remains incomplete at present. The highway authority has acknowledged ongoing refinements to the platform. An iOS version is scheduled for release by the conclusion of 2026, according to Malay Mail.

Source: The Next Web