Privacy Authority to Block Voter Tracking Apps on Election Day
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Israel's Privacy Protection Authority will block voter tracking applications on election day by inspecting app servers, following a Supreme Court ruling that deemed such use illegal. The authority will also enforce a ban on digital voter counting by poll workers and observers. The PPA will operate a hotline for public reports and will have representatives at the Knesset election situation room to address any incidents.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israel's Privacy Protection Authority will inspect servers to ban voter tracking apps on election day.
- The Supreme Court previously ruled that using voter tracking apps is illegal.
- Poll workers and observers are also prohibited from digitally counting voters.
- The PPA will operate a hotline for the public to report privacy violations.
- Violators of privacy laws face significant financial sanctions and potential prison time.
Israel's Privacy Protection Authority (PPA) announced it will enforce a ban on the use of voter tracking applications, such as "Elector," during election day by inspecting app servers. In past elections, party representatives, notably from the Likud party, used such applications to update lists of citizens who had voted. The Supreme Court (Baggatz) ruled in September that this activity is illegal. Last week, the court also prohibited poll workers and observers from digitally or otherwise counting the number of voters arriving at polling stations.
According to PPA Director Gila Samama, the authority will operate on election day to enforce these prohibitions. "This activity may include server inspections and issuing orders, as needed," he stated. "Violation of the law can lead to significant financial sanctions and civil liability. Intentional privacy infringement is also a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison."
The PPA will operate a hotline and online portal for reporting privacy violations during the elections. The authority noted that receiving a call clearly indicating a voter did not exercise their right to vote could be a violation of the Supreme Court's decision. The public is encouraged to report any suspected privacy infringements during the election process.
Authority representatives will also be present at the election situation room in the Knesset to handle any field incidents. The PPA reminds all parties involved in the chain, from parties and their representatives to app operators, suppliers, and field activists, of their obligation to protect voter privacy. Any activist or user of an application on behalf of a party must obtain consent before transferring information about an individual to the party or using it. Furthermore, there is a reporting obligation to the PPA in case of a severe information security incident involving databases based on voter registry information or other databases classified as medium or high security.
