Iraq to ban Israeli-developed GPS navigation app Waze

A mobile phone with Waze navigation app in Edegem, Belgium, March 26, 2020. Photo DIRK WAEM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq has formally banned the Waze navigation application, pushing the effective date until the end of December 2026. Iraqi Communications Minister Mustafa Sanad originally planned to start the block in early 2027. However, the government recently changed the timeframe, pushing the restriction ahead to late December 2026. Waze’s Israeli roots influenced the decision, which aligns with Iraq’s strict 2022 legislation criminalizing rapprochement with Israel. The Iraqi government raises security, data privacy, and geopolitical concerns over geographic tracking data. While it is unclear how the Iraqi government would restrict access to the application, technology analysts expect local telecommunication providers to block Waze servers or ban the program outright from regional app stores. The step triggered rapid online discussion among Iraqis. Drivers expressed disappointment at losing Waze’s extremely accurate, real-time traffic updates, which are critical for navigating crowded cities like Baghdad. The Communication Ministry suggested using Google Maps as a primary legal alternative, even though Google owns both Google Maps and Waze.