Kuala Lumpur:Location data goes beyond mere travel details as it can expose movement patterns of individuals, notably civil servants and national leaders, underscoring its importance for cybersecurity and national data sovereignty.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Universiti Utara Malaysia's Professor Dr Osman Ghazali emphasized the need to protect location data during a segment on Bernama TV’s Fokus 15 programme. He supported the ban on civil servants using the Waze navigation app for official purposes as a precaution against potential exposure of sensitive information.

Preventive measures in cybersecurity, Dr Osman argued, should focus on safeguarding sensitive data before breaches occur. He noted that the ban specifically targets civil servants on official duties, while the public can choose their preferred navigation apps for personal use. He advised users to adjust privacy settings on smartphones to limit location data exposure and emphasized the importance of robust data protection measures in local navigation applications.

Dr Osman also highlighted the potential benefits of local navigation apps like TuJu in enhancing the country's digital sovereignty, provided they offer competitive services. He pointed out the challenges of user familiarity with existing platforms and the need for continuous technological improvements and user feedback to boost confidence in local applications.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier announced the prohibition of Waze for civil servants, with the Prime Minister's Office citing the measure as a safeguard against misuse of government information by the Israeli regime.