Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow wants the federal government to explain the restriction barring civil servants from using Waze, saying motorists deserve to know the reason and whether a workable alternative exists.
He said the navigation app has become part of daily driving in Malaysia, helping motorists find faster routes through congestion in cities and towns, according to NST.
The ban was set out in a letter dated 20 Oct from Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, following a decision by the National Cyber Security Committee at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, The Star reported.
An accompanying frequently asked questions document states that the ban applies only while civil servants are carrying out official duties. Staff are encouraged to uninstall the app and move to local alternatives, including TuJu, developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority, and PINTAZ, built by a local developer.
The directive rests on information security concerns and the collection of Malaysians’ movement data. Waze is operated by Waze Mobile Ltd, a company registered under Israeli law, and its terms of use place disputes under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Tel Aviv District courts.
“They need to explain why it has to be banned, why it cannot be used and whether there is a better alternative,” Chow told reporters after announcing the Penang International Science Fair.
He said the restriction has raised questions among the public, with many seeking the reasoning behind it. Waze, he added, helps drivers reach their destinations by the fastest route, particularly when traffic builds up in urban areas.
“The use of Waze has become an important part of driving for everyone, as it is an application that helps them reach their destinations in the fastest way,” he said.
“A clearer explanation will help motorists understand the rationale behind the restriction, including whether suitable alternatives are available.”
Asked whether the Penang government had received the directive, Chow said he understood it had reached his driver. “My driver has been told not to use it,” he said, adding that the state government itself had yet to receive the order.
The prime minister has encouraged the public to use TuJu, which was developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority. The FAQ document also lists PINTAZ among the local options for civil servants making the switch.
According to the document, Waze’s privacy policy states that the information collected goes beyond location data to include journeys and routes, GPS readings and device sensor information combined with timestamps and IP addresses. Location and travel data, it notes, may be gathered even when the app is not in active use, depending on a device’s settings and the permissions granted.
The document adds that while there is no evidence the app carries out such analysis of its users, the possibility that the data could be used for, or exposed to, such analysis remains a risk the government has to weigh.
