Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested the use of sensors on each citizen to remind them that, despite removing the nation’s quarantine measures, they must maintain social distancing to avoid a new crisis caused by Covid-19.
Israel has been a nation that has spared no expense in an attempt to control the coronavirus spread. Since its first reported case in February, the government has been strict with confinement, becoming the first non-Asian country to completely close its borders and declare quarantine.
Although extreme, these measures did not prevent the infection of more than 16,000 people.
However, the Israeli government has not let its guard down. According to Netanyahu, Israeli scientists are investigating new technologies and options that would reduce the possibilities of coronavirus infections now that life is returning to normal.
But, of course…it would require heavy surveillance.
Among the Prime Minister’s suggestions is something that looks like something out of a sci-fi novel: the implementation of sensors on each person. Netanyahu compared the idea to Mobileye’s driving assistance devices, which emit a sound that alerts the drivers when they are very close to an obstacle.
“I spoke with our heads of technology in order to find measures Israel is good at, such as sensors,” Netanyahu said, adding that the digital sensor “will be on everyone, every person, every child.”
The suggestion comes at a time when people are increasingly worried that the coronavirus pandemic is being used to usher in a new wave of surveillance.
