Israel’s Controversial COVID-19 Plan Thrusts Data Privacy Into the Spotlight

However, while most are funding research into developing vaccines and restricting public gatherings to prevent the virus’ chances of proliferation, Israel seems to be trying a more unconventional approach.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is now chairing a discussion with leading experts on additional ways to deal with the #Coronavirus. Under consideration are ways to maximize scientific capabilities in order to advance the ability to deal with the Coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/6moN2k2Bab

— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 15, 2020

Real-Time Tracking Is Always a Concern

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed the use of anti-terrorism tracking to locate people who are either carrying the virus or who have had contact with virus carriers, Reuters reports. The Prime Minister’s outline wasn’t overly specific on how the system will function or its scope of operation. It did, however, repeatedly explained that they planned to locate at-risk people through “digital means” that are similar to those of countries like Taiwan. The government’s rationale seems patriotic on the surface. But the use of anti-terrorism technology has always sparked massive controversy whenever proposed – especially regarding the methods and limits of the government. The country’s Shin Bet domestic security service, which is expected to oversee the surveillance, already confirmed to Reuters that it would work on expanding its reach to help combat the virus, adding that it won’t be using the technology in the context of isolation guidelines. Speaking with Al Jazeera, Avner Pinchuk, a privacy expert with the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, expressed concerns over such a measure, especially given that the scope of technology such as this usually involves real-time tracking and unauthorized access to mobile phones and others.

“I am troubled by this announcement. I understand that we are in unique circumstances, but this seems potentially like an overreach. Much will depend on how intrusive the new measures are,” he explained.

There’s also the issue of surveillance becoming the order of the day if this Israeli law passes. While many countries have locked down their economies to contain the virus, such a measure passing through the Israeli parliament could inspire other nations to adopt similar measures.

The New Status Quo in China

As Israel debates on the viability of mass surveillance, China has gone ahead of the curve. As a recent report from The Guardian explained, Chinese residents have to undergo a series of verification procedures before accessing their homes. This includes scanning a QR code and the provision of their temperature, names, and travel history. The report added that telecom companies are now openly tracking people’s movements. Meanwhile, some regions are rewarding whistleblowers who alert authorities of sick neighbors and relatives. Companies are also rolling out facial recognition technology to detect temperatures en masse, as well as people who are in crowds without face masks. The measures seem fine given that the country is where the pandemic originated. However, it also begs the question of what would happen when the outbreak ends. Wang Aizhong, a Guangzhou-based activist, explained to The Guardian that the government has been able to monitor people while using the virus as a cover, saying:

“I don’t think authorities will rule out keeping this up after the outbreak.”