Posted on 09/19/21
| News Source: i24
Quarantined Israelis began receiving text messages on Sunday from the police for option to give location
Tens of thousands of quarantined people on Sunday received a text message from the Israel Police with a link to provide their GPS location for the purpose of tracking them during the self-isolation period, according to a statement from the Public Security Ministry.
The tracking system — developed by the Israel Police with the assistance of the Public Security Ministry — was expanded after the successful completion of a pilot program in recent weeks.
Self-isolated individuals can choose not to provide their location information using their smart phone. In that case, Israel Police "will carry out increased supervision activity in the place of isolation," according to the government web page explaining the terms of the system.
Public Security Minister Omar Bar-Lev called the service "essential" for "streamlining" the enforcement system during the quarantine period, saving the need for inspectors to visit the homes of self-isolated individuals.
"I recommend anyone who receives a message to click on the link and confirm the activation of the temporary location," Bar-Lev said in the statement. "The location information that will be shared with us from the agreement will not be stored and will be used solely for the purpose of immediate location."