Israel – The Justice Ministry is seeking to significantly expand the number of government agencies authorized to track the moves of citizens for investigation purposes, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
The new legislation would grant the Antiquities Authority, the Nature and Parks Authority and the Environmental Protection Ministry, among others, permission to tap Israelis’ phones and computers.
The bill aims to amend a law from 2007 that regulates the authorities’ ability to seize individuals’ records from companies that provide communication services. The law enables the relevant agencies to apply for tracking warrants; if granted by the court, these warrants allow officials to eavesdrop on suspects’ phone conversations and go through their text messages, e-mails and computer files.
The Agriculture Ministry and the Director of Security of the Defense Establishment would also be among the government bodies allowed access to personal information if the amendment is ratified.
The revised legislation would not only apply to suspected felonies, as does the original law, but also to misdemeanors, a move that could expose a wider array of citizens to tracking.
The proposed legislation is expected to be put up for the Knesset’s approval by the end of the year.
Horrible news for anyone that needs any sort of privacy! I won’t be surprised if the politicians stupid enough to push this one through…
if they privatize jails in israel would be a good business to invest in if this law actually passes
Yidden get rid of your computers!
Orwellian and intrusive.