As WhatsApp continues growing in popularity, MK (Bayit Yehudi) Nissim Slomiansky is working to regulate postings to some degree, to eliminate the irresponsible rumors and the personal information and photos of victims. The MK explains many examples of this were seen during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza or during recent terror attacks, when names and detailed information regarding the victims, and photos, are posted before official agencies process the information or the immediate families are notified of the tragic events.

Slomiansky explains that the tragedy is bad enough, but for families to hear of their loved ones being killed or injured via social media or in some cases rumors to this effect which are later proven untrue must end. Such notifications are to be made by official agencies such as the IDF and Israel Police.

As a result of a number of cases in which rumors spread and information was released prematurely, Slomiansky has presented a bill to Knesset making it illegal to post the names of fatalities until official agencies have given the green light. The bill is not directed at WhatsApp exclusively, but includes SMS text messaging or any other social media platform. If the bill passes into law, a violator would face a NIS 14,000 fine and/or cutting off the person’s phone line.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)