Waze ban: MPs ask if WhatsApp, Instagram pose similar security risks

The Malaysian government has been urged to provide a detailed explanation for the ban on the Waze navigation app by civil servants, as MPs have questioned whether other popular applications pose similar security risks. Chow Yu Hui, a member of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PH), asked why the government did not consider the risk levels associated with other US-owned applications like WhatsApp and Instagram.

He pointed out that the United States has a history of surveillance and supports Israel, and asked for transparency in the decision-making process. Dr Kelvin Yii, also from PH, raised similar concerns about the security of other commonly used apps, questioning whether their data is also exposed to the same risks as Waze. The government's decision to prohibit Waze was based on concerns about location data potentially being exposed to the Israeli regime.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the decision was made after considering Waze Mobile Ltd as a user data controller incorporated and operating under Israeli law.

Brief written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.