Israel’s Supreme Court bans security agency from tracing phones of COVID-19 patients

Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that starting from April 30, Israel’s security agency will not be allowed to track and monitor cell phones of COVID-19 patients. The agency was given temporary emergency powers in March to track patients’ cell phones. However, the court ruled that the continuance of tracking might pose a threat to the existence of a democratic society in Israel and that less intrusive alternatives need to be developed and approved by the government.