Yesterday, the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA)—acting through the National Security Council and the Prime Minister’s Department—issued a circular to all civil servants in Malaysia, directing them to cease the use of the mapping and GPS application, Waze.
An update to the application’s terms of use last August indicated that the app is subject to Israeli law. Consequently, NACSA and the National Security Council decided to prohibit the use of the application, specifically for Malaysian government civil servants.
The Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, issued a statement yesterday clarifying that while the ban primarily applies to civil servants using the app for official duties, the public is also advised against using it.
This morning, during a National Security Council press conference, Director-General YM Raja Dato’ Nushirwan Zainal Abidin—as reported by Bernama—stated that civil servants found using Waze while on duty may be subject to disciplinary action.
He noted that civil servants will be required to use alternative mapping and GPS applications for their official tasks. If you wish to stop using Waze, we have compiled a list of 10 other mapping and GPS applications that can be used without the concern that your data might be tracked by Israel.
