ISRAEL HALTS USE OF CONTROVERSIAL PHONE TRACKING TECHNOLOGY TO TRACE OMICRON CASES

Fri 03 December 2021:

Israel has decided to end the controversial practice of tracking Omicron variant cases via mobile phones, which was developed by the country’s intelligence agency.

Following the discovery of Omicron cases in the country last week, Prime Minister Bennett authorized the use of the technology. However, it will not be renewed on Thursday and Friday after it expires, according to the government.

The country has reported three confirmed cases of the Omicron virus, despite the fact that the country’s health ministry has stated that at least 30 more suspected cases are being monitored.

The Supreme Court of Israel had previously stated that it had not been proven whether the technology “poses a disproportionate infringement on the right to privacy which would justify its striking down”.

The previous government of Benjamin Netanyahu was the first to introduce the measure.

The emergency measures, according to the rights groups, were in violation of a previous ruling by the country’s Supreme Court. The tracking was requested by the Bennett government “to locate verified Omicron cases and thereby cut the chains of infection,” while restricting it only to the new strain.

The measure was brought in for a “limited and very brief” period due to privacy and human rights concerns, according to Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz.

However, the government stated that if morbidity requires it, the tracking system may be reintroduced. Foreign visitors were barred from entering Israel by the Israeli government. Foreigners will only be allowed to enter through a special committee.

Even if citizens are vaccinated, the country has imposed strict coronavirus rules, requiring them to produce a negative PCR test and quarantine themselves for three days.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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