"Big Brother" on the light rail: How Israel's new surveillance system could track your every move

The Controversial Security System for Gush Dan's Light Rail

According to a document obtained by Israel Hayom, this system will utilize advanced cameras to perform detailed biometric identification and continuous tracking of individuals on the metro, raising serious ethical questions about surveillance and personal privacy.

The police security framework outlined in the “Requirements Document for the Subterranean Infrastructure for Underground Railway System Entrepreneurs” includes the installation of high-tech video and thermal cameras designed to monitor, detect, observe, identify, recognize, and verify individuals. The cameras will cover between 95% and 100% of the areas, including both the stations and the trains themselves. The system’s capabilities will allow the police to track not only objects and people but also to identify specific individuals using facial recognition and biometric identification technology.

This expanded surveillance infrastructure was initially approved under the 2024 Surveillance Law, which was created to enhance security measures. The law enables authorities to install cameras for preventing crimes or security threats, but it also aims to balance security needs with privacy protection. The law specifically stated that the installation of cameras should not infringe upon privacy more than necessary. However, the document suggests that the police may be pushing the boundaries of this approval, installing fixed cameras with high resolution capable of tracking individuals from up to 70 meters away on the street level and detecting small objects within train carriages from distances of 30 meters.

While the official narrative justifies these extensive surveillance measures as essential for preventing terror attacks, including the potential use of explosives or unconventional weapons, the implementation raises concerns about the balance between national security and individual privacy. The system's ability to track individuals’ movements, recognize faces, and identify people using biometric data collected during their identity document processes, represents an intrusion into personal freedoms. Furthermore, the surveillance will cover nearly every inch of the light rail system without a defined time limit or review process for camera placement.

The Gush Dan light rail security initiative, designed to protect against a variety of threats, comes at the cost of potentially eroding citizens' privacy rights. The system’s invasive monitoring capabilities, while intended for security purposes, will undoubtedly lead to further debates about the balance between national safety and individual liberties.