The Israeli cabinet limited on Sunday the involvement of the Shin Bet security service in the cellphone-tracking of people infected by the coronavirus, saying the measure would be a last resort where epidemiological investigation proves insufficient.
Circumventing parliament in March, as the coronavirus spread, the cabinet approved emergency regulations that enabled the use of the technology, usually deployed for anti-terrorism. Privacy watchdog groups have challenged the practice in court.
Citing waning contagion rates in Israel, the cabinet amended regulations so that the phone tracking is warranted “in specific and special cases only, where location...cannot be completed with epidemiological investigation using other methods.”

But, a cabinet statement said, the reduced scope of Shin Bet involvement could be reviewed if a coronavirus surge is feared.
Israel - with a population 9 million - has reported 16,712 coronavirus cases and 279 deaths. Schools and businesses have been reopening amid cautious optimism about health policies.
A parliamentary oversight panel and the cabinet have been conferring on legislation that would regulate the Shin Bet involvement.
Read more:
Israel PM Netanyahu goes on trial for corruption, calls it political witch-hunt
Coronavirus pictures: Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr amid restrictions, lockdowns
-
Coronavirus: White House adviser sees double digit jobless rate during US election
US unemployment is likely to remain in double digits as Americans go to the polls in November, a top White House economic adviser said Sunday.Kevin ... Coronavirus -
Coronavirus: Venice Film Festival will go ahead in September, says Veneto governor
The Venice Film Festival will go ahead as scheduled at the beginning of September, Luca Zaia, the governor of the region around the Italian city said ... Coronavirus -
Amid stalled talks with US, N. Korea’s Kim vows to further bolster nuclear deterrence
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hosted a military meeting to discuss new policies to bolster the country’s nuclear capabilities amid stalled ... World News