Approved in first reading: authorization of the IDF and Shin Bet to penetrate computer material, even without the knowledge of the owner of the computer material, in order to thwart or prevent access to the visual information extracted from it. The Knesset plenum approved in first reading the bill authorizing the Israel Defense Forces and the General Security Service to intrude on computer material used to operate a stationary camera and operate on it (time order – iron swords), the 2023 Law. 15 members of the Knesset supported the proposal and it will be forwarded to the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
In the bill it is proposed to authorize the IDF and the Shin Bet to penetrate computer material located on a computer operating a stationary camera, in order to thwart or prevent access to the visual information produced by the camera, if it has the potential to actually endanger the security of the state or the continuity of the operational functioning of the IDF L, in connection with activities within the “Iron Swords” war. The law is proposed as a temporary provision for six months, with the possibility of extension.
The explanation to the law reads: “Within the ongoing significant military operations, there is a real fear of access by enemy elements to visual information produced from stationary cameras, which has the potential to seriously endanger the security of the state and the continuity of the operational function of the IDF as well as the security of the state according to the designation of the security service . Therefore, a need arose for the certification of IDF soldiers and the certification of Shin Bet employees, who have the required skill, to penetrate computer material used to operate a stationary camera as mentioned, and to perform an operation on it, even without the knowledge of the owner of the computer material.
