Government Bans Civil Servants From Using Waze Over Data Security Risks, Promotes Local Alternative TuJu

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21  – The Malaysian government has prohibited all civil servants from using the Waze navigation application with immediate effect, following security directives issued by the National Cyber Security Committee (JKSN).

In an official circular dated October 20, 2026, Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar confirmed that the ban was finalized during JKSN Meeting No. 3 of 2026, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

All ministry secretaries-general, federal department heads, state secretaries, and local authority chief executives have been instructed to ensure immediate compliance across all ministries, departments, and government agencies.

The National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA), under the National Security Council (NSC) in the Prime Minister’s Department, has been appointed as the lead coordinating agency for queries regarding implementation.

Security Concerns and Homegrown Alternative TuJu

Key details regarding data security risks and the transition to local navigation software include:

• Jurisdictional Data Risks: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighted security risks regarding users’ real-time location and movement data under Waze, which operates under Israeli government legal jurisdiction.
• TuJu Navigation App: The government is encouraging public and civil service transition to TuJu, a local navigation app developed by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) in partnership with Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd.
• App Features: Available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, TuJu offers real-time traffic updates, route planning, toll cost calculations, live highway CCTV feeds, rest area (R&R) information, and emergency assistance.

Government departments will monitor compliance across official and personal devices used for official travel.

–NMT