Iraq to Ban Israeli-Founded Navigation App Waze in Early 2027

The Israeli Connection and Iraq's Stance

Waze was developed in Israel, and Google acquired it in 2013 for nearly $1bn. Iraq does not recognise Israel or maintain diplomatic relations with it and has formally been at war with the country since 1948.

A 2022 law criminalises any diplomatic, political, military, economic or cultural ties with Israel, carrying penalties that include life imprisonment and the death penalty. Passed by 275 votes in the 329-seat Council of Representatives, the law applies to all Iraqi citizens, state institutions, media, private companies and foreign entities operating in the country, including the Kurdish region.

Distrust of Israel has deepened amid the US-Israel war on Iran, during which the United States and its allies targeted Iraq's Iran-aligned militias with air strikes and economic measures. In May, US media reported that Israel had built two secret military outposts deep inside Iraq's desert to support its war on Iran, one of which was nearly exposed by a local shepherd who was killed after stumbling upon it.

Data Privacy and Technical Considerations

Waze's privacy policy allows it to collect users' locations, routes, destinations, search histories and device details depending on their settings. When pooled across many users over time, such data can reveal movement patterns, peak times and unusual changes, giving it security value.

Iraqi technology researcher Mustafa Kamel al-Sharif, quoted by Al-Mada, cautioned that a national alternative would require more than an app bearing an Iraqi map and logo. It would need accurate geographic databases, a constantly updated road network, routing systems and live data on traffic, accidents and closures. He added that the core issue lies in how Iraq regulates its citizens' data, noting that other services may also collect sensitive information similar to Waze.

Unanswered Questions

The ministry has not yet explained how the block will be enforced or whether it will cover the Kurdish region. It has also not set out the ban's legal basis or announced when the Iraqi replacement app will launch.

Additionally, the government has not clarified why Google Maps, owned by the same parent company Alphabet, would remain available, nor why Waze is being banned now despite its Israeli roots being long known.