In April 2008, ACRI petitioned the High Court of Justice against the Communications Data Law – 2007 (nicknamed the “Big Brother Law”), which is due to enter into force in June 2008. The law will enable the police and other investigatory bodies to receive personal information from cellular phone companies and Internet providers on all persons. This information includes determining the geographical whereabouts of individuals (through GPS systems); the names of people and organizations that a person has called; the websites that a person has visited; and the names of people with whom a person has corresponded via email. The proposed database will be the largest and most intrusive of its kind in the Western world. It will also facilitate wiretapping and other forms of surveillance. Not only does the database violate Israel’s criminal laws regarding privacy in investigations, it also gives police access to the personal and contact information of people with no criminal records or involvement in crimes. ACRI challenged the law, which sweepingly violates the right to privacy. The petition is currently pending.
Prior to the passing of the law, ACRI acted in both the legal and public spheres to circumvent the draft legislation. ACRI submitted a position paper to Knesset members suggesting amendments to the law. Some of our suggestions were adopted in the interim.
