Ts. Dr. Muhammad Faiz Mohd Zaki, lead of CSNET's Network Security Research group.
Ts. Dr. Muhammad Faiz Mohd Zaki, lead of the Network Security Research group at the Centre of Research for Cyber Security and Network (CSNET), Universiti Malaya, is featured in Utusan Malaysia on 22 October 2026 in the article "Penggunaan teknologi kuasa luar dedahkan data berlebihan" (Foreign technology exposes too much data).
The article follows a letter dated 20 October 2026 from the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, barring civil servants from using Waze while on official duty, after a decision of the National Cyber Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Data Held Abroad
Dr. Faiz explains that data shared through apps such as Waze is stored on servers abroad, where the service provider has full control over it. "For high-profile individuals, this data can reveal information that may be sensitive to outside parties," he says.
A Clear Signal, but Not Enough
He describes the Waze ban as a clear signal of Malaysia's stance, but not enough on its own: many other apps also share personal data in ways that put individuals and the country at risk.
Backing Local Alternatives
Dr. Faiz calls the local navigation app TUJU "a good start", but says it needs time and effort to earn public trust. He urges the government to give local developers full support so that local apps can reach the maturity of Waze.
The full article, by Alani Nizam, is available in Malay at Utusan Malaysia.
The feature is part of CSNET's continued public engagement on data protection and digital sovereignty.