Israel Police warns tech firms against election influence operations

Deputy Commissioner Boaz Balat, head of the Israel Police Investigations and Intelligence Division, has issued a formal warning to technology companies specializing in social media promotion, urging them to avoid participating in improper influence operations on behalf of political parties ahead of the 2026 elections. The warning follows concerns over the use of bots, fake accounts, and coordinated campaigns to smear rivals or artificially inflate political popularity.

In a letter obtained by Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth, the police emphasized that assisting in concealing client identities or circumventing platform restrictions could expose tech firms to legal liability. The police stated that failure to investigate substantial suspicions regarding such activities may be taken into account when assessing a company's legal responsibility.

Addressing the upcoming 2026 election, the Investigations and Intelligence Division stated it is preparing for new technological challenges to prevent the undermining of the democratic process and public confidence. The police have provided companies with a list of suspicious indicators, including unusually high volumes of content, the use of fictitious identities, and attempts to bypass security mechanisms.

Israel Police has called on tech firms to contact the Cyber Division if they identify suspicious activity that threatens the integrity of the elections. The authorities stressed that proactive cooperation and effective oversight by these companies are essential to maintaining the integrity of the digital sphere during the election period.