From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
MKs pass bill extending IDF, Shin Bet’s authority to hack into civilian security cameras
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
A law extending the Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet’s authority to covertly break into civilian security camera systems by another six months passes its third and final reading 13-4 in the Knesset.
Following October 7, 2023, the Knesset approved a temporary measure to permit the IDF and the Shin Bet to hack into security camera back-end technology in order to prevent or thwart access by nefarious actors.
The temporary emergency measure permits the IDF and the Shin Bet to access the cameras only if the visual material endangers national security or IDF operations connected to the ongoing war.
In its explanatory notes, the legislation says that Israel’s security agencies believe an additional extension is necessary “in light of the continuation of the fighting.”
The measure will now be extended until December 31, 2025.
The Times of Israel Community.