{
  "id": 15875287,
  "title": "Malaysia bans civil servants from using navigation app Waze, citing data risks over Israeli links",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/malaysia-bans-civil-servants-from-using-navigation-app-waze-citing",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-21T10:49:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/10/21/malaysia-bans-civil-servants-from-using-navigation-app-waze-citing-data-risks-over-israeli-links"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - The Malaysian government has prohibited civil servants from using the navigation app Waze, raising data security concerns over its Israeli connections. The ban comes from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's office, which highlighted that Waze Mobile Limited is a data controller based in Israel and operates under Israeli law. \"Protecting sensitive government data and citizens' personal information is vital, preventing exploitation by the Israeli regime that could jeopardize national security and sovereignty,\" the statement emphasized. Anwar called on all Malaysians to abandon Waze and opt for local alternatives with stronger security measures and data protection, like TuJu. Malaysia, predominantly Muslim and a staunch supporter of Palestinian statehood with no diplomatic or economic ties to Israel, has taken this digital measure to safeguard the nation's security.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Malaysian government bans civil servants from using Waze navigation app.",
    "Concerns over Israeli connections and data security risks.",
    "Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasizes protection of sensitive government data."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing national sovereignty over digital convenience signals a shift toward using technology bans as a tool to insulate government data from foreign jurisdictions and political adversaries.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Malaysia bars civil servants from using Israeli navigation app Waze due to 'security concerns'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/malaysia-bars-civil-servants-from-using-israeli-navigation-app-waze",
        "published": "2026-10-21T08:42:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}