Drivers and residents across the UAE have reported that navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze have been erratic and occasionally inaccurate in recent days, with some users noticing their locations appearing far from their actual positions. While many residents joked about the issue online, experts say such disruptions can sometimes result due to technical factors affecting satellite signals.
Mahammad Haneef, head of digital transformation at MBRSC Lab, said that temporary GPS disruptions can sometimes happen during periods of conflict due to security-related measures that affect satellite signals used by navigation systems.
“During times of regional tension, authorities may implement security measures to protect sensitive locations. These measures can sometimes affect GPS signals, which navigation apps like Google Maps rely on, leading to temporary location errors or unusual routes,” he said.
Haneef explained that certain techniques used by security agencies, such as GPS jamming or GPS spoofing, may affect how navigation signals are received by devices.
“GPS jamming involves blocking signals, while GPS spoofing sends false signals to devices. Because civilian navigation apps rely on the same satellite signals, these actions can sometimes cause inaccurate locations or unexpected routes to appear on apps,” he said.
Even small disruptions in satellite signals can sometimes cause phones to briefly show incorrect positions. “Minor interference can result in a navigation app showing the wrong location for a short period of time. In most cases, the system corrects itself quickly once the signal stabilises,” he added.
Haneef stressed that navigation apps remain largely reliable and that such incidents are usually temporary.
“Apps like Google Maps have strong security systems and generally function normally. Most of the time, disruptions are related to signal interference or security measures rather than cyberattacks,” he said.
Residents have taken to social media to share posts after noticing unusual behaviour on navigation apps. Several users said their locations briefly appeared far from where they were. This sparked a wave of jokes online as drivers shared videos showing strange routes and unexpected locations on their screens.
In a video shared on Instagram, Sangam, a real estate agent, humorously advised new drivers to think twice before relying solely on GPS navigation. He joked that those who recently obtained their driving licence should first familiarise themselves with the roads and maps, as navigation apps have been acting unpredictably. Laughing, he warned that drivers unfamiliar with routes could end up far from their intended destination, or even in a neighbouring country, if they blindly follow the directions.
Another video showed a driver travelling on Sheikh Zayed Road, pointing out that landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa were nearby, but the navigation app showed his location somewhere in the Arabian Gulf. The driver jokes that, while the iconic tower is clearly visible ahead of him, the map suggests he is driving in the middle of the sea.
Delivery riders have also shared similar videos, saying their navigation apps sometimes showed delivery locations far from their actual position. In some clips online, riders laugh as their delivery destination appears in the sea or desert areas hundreds of kilometres away.
