'Can't compromise data': Malaysia bans civil servants from using Waze, citing links to Israel

Malaysia has banned civil servants from using Alphabet-owned navigation app Waze, citing concerns over data security linked to the app's Israeli origins, following a review ordered by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.The prohibition took effect immediately, according to a letter dated Tuesday from chief secretary to the overnment Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar to heads of government agencies.Anwar said the government was examining potential security risks associated with Waze, which he said “was bound to Israeli laws”.“We cannot compromise on the security of people's data and identities,” news agency Reuters quoted Anwar saying in a Facebook post after chairing a meeting of the national cybersecurity committee on Tuesday.The prime minister did not specify the security risks identified but recommended that government employees use TuJu, a domestic mapping application developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority, as an alternative.Waze, founded in Israel, provides real-time traffic updates using satellite signals and data crowdsourced from drivers. Google parent Alphabet acquired the app in 2013 for about $1 billion.The decision comes against the backdrop of Malaysia's strong support for the Palestinian cause. The Muslim-majority country does not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.