Israel's High Court Bans 'Elector' App, Citing Privacy Concerns
Israel's Supreme Court, known as the High Court of Justice (BAGATS), has prohibited the use of the 'Elector' application, which allowed political parties to receive real-time information on citizens who had not yet voted. The decision came after the court reviewed petitions challenging the app's legality.
The court's ruling overturned a previous decision by the Central Elections Committee (CEC), which had permitted the app's use in the upcoming elections in early September. Justice Yael Willner, explaining the court's decision on September 17, stated that the app's functionality violated the right to privacy. She emphasized that the CEC is not authorized to permit party representatives at polling stations to operate in such a manner.
The controversy surrounding 'Elector' began when CEC Chairman Judge Noam Solberg initially banned party representatives from transmitting real-time data on voter turnout. Following an appeal by the Likud party, the High Court sent the issue back to the full CEC for reconsideration. On September 6, the CEC voted 19-11 to reverse Solberg's decision and allow the transmission of voter data.
The matter then returned to the High Court. During the court session, legal representatives debated whether existing law permitted the transfer of voter turnout data to political parties. A Likud representative argued that the app was intended to encourage voters to go to the polls.
Ultimately, the High Court unanimously nullified the CEC's authorization for 'Elector,' ruling that the committee lacked the authority to permit party representatives to collect and transmit such information. Justices Yael Willner, Alex Stein, and Khaled Kabub issued the verdict. This decision is considered a significant blow to the coalition's election campaign headquarters, removing a key digital tool for voter mobilization on election day. Civil rights advocates highlighted the court's firm stance in protecting privacy rights against strong opposition from Likud.
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