Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Artificial Intelligence Poses New Risks for Israel’s Voters
Artificial intelligence and collected personal information may be used to influence voters in Israel.
Government officials and privacy activists say technology companies have usually acted quickly when problems are reported.
However, they worry that election day will be especially difficult because harmful content may spread quickly.
Election day is a public holiday.
Political parties want to know who is likely to vote for them.
They may also want to identify people who are unlikely to support them.
Some people could receive offers for shops or entertainment far from their polling station.
Others could receive false reports about trouble in their area.
These actions could make it harder for people to vote freely and accurately.
Government officials and privacy activists say technology companies have responded quickly to issues they flag.
They warn that addressing problems on election day itself may be too slow to stop false reports or manipulation.
Some illicitly collected information is intended for get-out-the-vote operations on election day.
Political parties can use voter data to estimate who may support them and who may not vote for them.
Potential tactics include sending targeted offers or spreading false reports about disturbances near polling stations.
- Who
- Government officials, privacy activists, technology companies, political parties, and Israeli voters.
- What
- Artificial intelligence and illicitly collected information may be used for voter targeting, false reports, and election manipulation.
- When
- On election day, which is described as a public holiday.
- Where
- Israel.
- Why
- Political parties may use voter information to organize supporters, identify unlikely voters, and discourage or distract other voters.
Officials and Privacy Activists
Technology Companies
Readiness for Election-Day Problems
Officials and Privacy Activists
They warn that addressing false reports or manipulation on election day itself may be difficult and that illicit data collection creates risks for voters.
Technology Companies
They have so far been quick to deal with issues identified by government officials and privacy activists.
- Main concern
- AI and illicitly collected data could influence voters or disrupt election participation.
- Responses so far
- Officials and privacy activists say technology companies have been quick to address flagged issues.
- Critical timing
- Responding on election day may be harder because manipulation could affect voting before it is stopped.
- Election day status
- Election day is a public holiday.
- Political use
- Information can support get-out-the-vote operations.
- Potential tactics
- Targeted commercial offers or false reports about disturbances may be sent to selected voters.