PM's Advisor Threatens Lawsuits Over Shared WhatsApp Messages
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
Yonatan Urich, an advisor to the Prime Minister, is threatening to sue individuals who share leaked WhatsApp messages attributed to him, claiming his account was hacked. Israeli law allows for lawsuits against those who distribute such content, even without malicious intent, with potential civil damages and criminal penalties. Legal experts advise verifying information and public interest before sharing to avoid liability for privacy invasion and defamation.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister's advisor Yonatan Urich is threatening lawsuits against those sharing leaked WhatsApp messages.
- Urich's lawyers claim his WhatsApp account was hacked, and sharing the messages constitutes privacy violation.
- Israeli law allows civil damages up to NIS 50,000 and criminal penalties for intentional distribution of leaked private messages.
- Sharing content without verifying authenticity and public interest can lead to lawsuits for privacy invasion and defamation.
- Legal experts advise caution and verification before sharing sensitive information online.
Yonatan Urich, an advisor to the Prime Minister, is reportedly threatening legal action against individuals sharing WhatsApp messages attributed to him that were leaked online. An anonymous website initially published screenshots of these conversations, which have since spread widely. Urich's lawyers claim his WhatsApp account was hacked, and they have announced that anyone distributing the messages could face personal lawsuits.
While hacking is a clear offense, the article explores the legal ramifications for those who share the leaked content. Israeli privacy law considers the publication or distribution of information obtained through privacy invasion as a violation in itself. This includes copying or using electronic messages without the sender's or recipient's permission. The law penalizes not only the hacker but also those who disseminate the information, with potential prison sentences of up to five years for intentional distribution.
In civil court, even without proven malicious intent, individuals can be liable for damages up to NIS 50,000 without proof of harm, and double that amount if intent to harm is established. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that sharing a post on social media constitutes publication, making sharers liable, similar to libel cases. A simple 'like' is not considered publication. While there may be public interest in the relationship between a senior advisor and journalists, this defense requires the public interest to justify the privacy breach and proof that the shared messages are not false.
Lawyer Ido Shechter advises caution, urging people to verify the authenticity and source of information and to consider whether there is genuine public interest before sharing. He suggests that if there is any doubt, it is best not to share. Journalists who verify information and report only on matters of true public interest may be protected by professional duty defenses, whereas those who share without verification risk lawsuits for privacy invasion and defamation, especially if the messages are found to be fake or altered.
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