PETALING JAYA: The government is seeking an explanation from Waze Mobile Ltd over how its navigation app handles Malaysians’ personal data.
Concerns over data privacy and national security had prompted the government to ban civil servants from using the navigation, says Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.
Many users are complaining that the proposed alternative to Waze, TuJu, is sub-par; therefore, the government is also demanding improvements to this local app.
Fahmi said Waze must clarify how Malaysians’ personal information was collected and managed, particularly amid concerns over data leaks and stolen information being sold on the dark web.
“We are not certain how the data is obtained, nor do we know about data leaks and irresponsible parties profiting from its sale on the dark web. I hope Waze will provide an explanation,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the Malaysian Highway Authority and TuJu developer Prosignal Consortium Sdn Bhd must explain the app’s technical shortcomings.
