The Ministry of Communications imposes financial sanctions of NIS 1.1 million on Internet providers

The Ministry of Communications has decided to impose financial sanctions of NIS 1.1 million on Internet providers who do not offer website filtering services and offensive content on the network, with the aim of protecting minors. The Communications and Enforcement Director at the Ministry of Communications, headed by Ethan Kassif, oversaw the procedures for the sale of Internet service providers to customers, during which it became clear that in the transactions made, the representatives did not inform the clients about the Internet and offensive content and the possibilities of their protection. Also, subscribers were not offered the option of receiving free tools for filtering websites or content, as required by their license.
Bezeq received the highest fine, which stands at NIS 298,000. Cellcom was fined NIS 282,000; Partner at NIS 226,000; HOT net for about NIS 111,000; Talzer for about NIS 87,000; Triple C for about NIS 60,000; Expon about NIS 37,000; And Primo for about NIS 20,000.
These fines join the sanctions imposed by the Communications Ministry on the same issue in August 2019 on cellular companies for a total of NIS 1.1 million. In April 2019, the ministry also levied NIS 3.5 million on the same matter.
Communications law requires Internet access providers, including cellular companies, to notify their subscribers of their right to receive free filtering services of abusive sites such as porn, violence and gambling. The companies are reluctant to follow the instructions because the move could significantly reduce network traffic, and they have consistently argued that the responsibility is on the parents. After the Ministry of Communications was reprimanded early last year by the Knesset Economic Committee for not doing enough on the matter, the ministry began to implicitly enforce the companies.
The Ministry of Communications said: "We will continue to work to raise awareness among the public about the dangers that exist on the Internet and the possibilities to protect them, with the aim of preventing harm to minors."