HOT to Compensate All Customers with NIS 4 Million in Viewing Benefits Over Harmful Content for Minors

HOT will compensate all its customers with viewing benefits worth a total of 4 million shekels following a class-action lawsuit approved by the Tel Aviv District Court. The lawsuit, filed in 2022 by two minors through their mother, alleged that HOT broadcast harmful content including violence, sex, and drug use during prohibited hours for minors. The compensation will be granted automatically without any action required by customers, offering a free one-month subscription to the Israeli children's channel Hop and the KIDZ library. Customers already subscribed to these services will receive free access to the Zoom Tone library instead. Notifications about the benefits will appear on monthly bills and as on-screen messages.

HOT argued that the content came from external providers and that it offers advanced parental controls. The company also claimed that the legal provisions cited by the plaintiffs are outdated and undergoing legislative changes. As part of the settlement, HOT committed to regulating its future content management and enforcing broadcast time restrictions with content providers. Judge Michal Amit Anisman, who approved the settlement, rejected the state's claim that the compensation was merely a marketing move and ruled that providing benefits to all customers was the best approach since it is impossible to identify which subscribers are parents of minors exposed to the broadcasts.

Attorney Yigal Levi, representing the plaintiffs, called the settlement a significant achievement for public protection, ensuring a safer viewing environment for minors. HOT was represented by attorney Orit Malka from the law firm Fischer & Co.