Drivers and residents across the UAE have reported unusual behaviour from navigation apps in recent days, with platforms such as Google Maps and Waze occasionally displaying inaccurate locations or unexpected routes.
Several users said their phones showed them far from their actual position, sparking confusion among drivers and widespread discussion on social media. While many residents reacted with humour, experts say the issue may be linked to temporary disruptions in satellite signals used by navigation systems.
Mahammad Haneef, head of digital transformation at MBRSC Lab, explained that such disruptions can occur during periods of regional tension when authorities introduce security-related measures that may affect GPS signals.
“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,” Haneef said.
According to Haneef, certain techniques used by security agencies — including GPS jamming and GPS spoofing — can influence how satellite navigation signals are received by devices.
GPS jamming works by blocking or interfering with satellite signals, preventing devices from accurately determining their location. GPS spoofing, meanwhile, involves sending false signals that can trick devices into displaying incorrect positions.
Because civilian navigation apps depend on the same satellite infrastructure, these techniques can sometimes unintentionally affect everyday users.
“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 explained.
Even small disturbances in satellite signals can lead to brief location errors on smartphones, Haneef added. In most cases, however, navigation systems automatically correct themselves once the signal stabilises.
“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 said.
Despite the recent reports, Haneef stressed that navigation apps remain generally reliable and secure, noting that temporary glitches are usually related to signal interference rather than cyberattacks.
“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.
Meanwhile, residents across the UAE have taken to social media platforms to share their experiences with the unusual navigation behaviour, often turning the confusion into light-hearted content.
Several videos circulating online show drivers pointing out obvious landmarks around them while their navigation apps display completely different locations.
In one widely shared Instagram video, Sangam, a real estate agent, jokingly warned new drivers not to rely entirely on GPS navigation.
He humorously advised those who had recently obtained their driving licences to first familiarise themselves with local roads and maps before trusting navigation apps completely.
Laughing in the video, he said drivers who blindly follow directions could find themselves travelling far from their intended destination — or even ending up in a neighbouring country.
Another video filmed by a driver on Sheikh Zayed Road captured a similar moment of confusion. While the iconic Burj Khalifa was clearly visible ahead, the navigation app on his phone suggested that he was travelling somewhere in the Arabian Gulf.
The driver jokingly pointed out the contradiction, saying the skyscraper was directly in front of him even though the map claimed he was driving in the middle of the sea.
Delivery riders have also reported similar issues, sharing clips online showing their apps directing them to delivery locations hundreds of kilometres away from their actual position.
In several posts, riders laughed as their delivery destinations appeared in the middle of the sea or deep within desert areas.
While the incidents have generated amusement online, experts say such disruptions are typically short-lived and resolve themselves once satellite signals return to normal.
For now, drivers are being encouraged to remain aware of their surroundings and not rely solely on navigation apps when travelling.