Waze Hits Back: Claims of Collecting Govt Data “Completely False”

Waze has pushed back against Malaysia’s decision to bar civil servants from using the app on official duty, rejecting claims that it collects sensitive government information or lets anyone exploit users’ personal data.

“Waze operates under strict privacy policies that protect user data and comply with global legal data protection standards,” the spokesman said.

Waze Denies Exploiting User Data After Malaysia’s Civil Servant Ban

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim ordered the ban over security concerns linked to the app being subject to Israeli laws.

He said the move was meant to protect government information and users’ personal data from misuse by the Israeli regime. The public is not banned from using Waze, but Anwar urged Malaysians to switch to local alternatives such as TuJu, developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority and Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd.

Waze was founded in Israel in 2008 by three Israeli entrepreneurs. Google parent Alphabet acquired it in June 2013 for about US$1.15 billion.

Earlier today, National Security Council director-general Raja Nushirwan Zainal Abidin warned that information Waze collects, including users’ locations and travel movements, could be used to work out their daily routines. For civil servants, he said, this could be highly sensitive.