{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 2047934,
        "msgid": "malaysia-pm-anwar-warns-against-israeli-navigation-app-waze-over-data-security-concerns-1792561810",
        "date": "2026-10-21 12:17:00",
        "title": "Malaysia PM Anwar warns against Israeli navigation app Waze over data security concerns",
        "author": "",
        "source": "CNA",
        "tags": "Asia",
        "topic": "Technology",
        "summary": "Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged citizens to stop using Waze, citing concerns that the Israeli-developed app could expose users\u2019 data to monitoring, and recommended the Malaysian Highway Authority\u2019s Tuju app instead. The warning followed a National Cyber Security Committee review of cyber threats, which also addressed MyDigital ID security and emerging risks from autonomous AI as the government seeks to bolster digital sovereignty.",
        "content": "<p>Malaysia PM Anwar warns against Israeli navigation app Waze over data\nsecurity concerns<\/p>\n<p>Given concerns about the app being used to monitor Malaysian\ncitizens\u2019 data, Anwar suggested they switch to using Tuju, an app\ndeveloped by the Malaysian Highway Authority.<\/p>\n<p>KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has advised\nMalaysians against using Waze, a popular navigation app developed in\nIsrael.<\/p>\n<p>Waze is subject to Israeli government laws, Anwar said in a Facebook\npost after chairing a meeting of the National Cyber Security Committee\n(JKSN), where the potential risk of the app being used to monitor\nMalaysian citizens\u2019 data was discussed.<\/p>\n<p>Given the concerns, as well as the data security risks, Anwar\nsuggested that Malaysians switch to using Tuju, an app developed by the\nMalaysian Highway Authority, instead.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe cannot compromise on data and identity security,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Launched in 2009, Waze began as an open-source project called FreeMap\nIsrael. In 2013, Google bought the app for US$1 billion.<\/p>\n<p>Al Jazeera reported earlier this month that Iraq was planning to\nblock the use of Waze by the end of December this year, with its\ncommunications minister citing data security concerns and the app\u2019s\norigin in Israel.<\/p>\n<p>Like many Arab and Muslim-majority countries, Iraq and Malaysia do\nnot formally recognise Israel.<\/p>\n<p>In his Facebook post, Anwar said that JKSN met to review the\ndevelopment of cyber threats and strengthen Malaysia\u2019s \u201cdigital\npreparedness and sovereignty\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The meeting also covered the security of MyDigital ID - Malaysia\u2019s\nnational digital identity verification platform - as well as new threats\nfrom autonomous artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<p>Anwar said the Malaysian government is strengthening its integrated\nidentity system, with MyKad serving as a physical credential and\nMyDigital ID for digital transactions, supported by stronger\ncybersecurity measures.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis effort is crucial to ensure that the digitalisation of public\nservices continues to benefit the people, without neglecting the\nsecurity, trust, and sovereignty of the nation.\u201d<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysia-pm-anwar-warns-against-israeli-navigation-app-waze-over-data-security-concerns-1792561810",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}