Viral images from January 27, 2026 show Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu using a smartphone with thick red tape (or tamper-proof seal) over its rear camera lens and sensor. The photos, taken in the Knesset underground parking garage in Jerusalem – first revealed by podcaster Mario Knafal on X – sparked a worldwide debate over digital privacy and surveillance.
This red cover is not a common practice: it is standard Israeli security protocol in sensitive/classified areas. Tamper-proof stickers work like this:
– **Physical Obstruction** — Blocking the lens can accidentally or intentionally prevent imaging.
– **Tamper Detection** — Removal/movement leaves a permanent “VOID” mark, alerting security teams to potential threats.
– **Visual Obstruction** — “Red Zone” indicating strict no-recording rules in government spaces.
This counters the risks of “zero-click” spyware – which involves remote camera activation without user interaction – which is exacerbated by regional cyber threats. Hackers linked to Iran (e.g., Handala) claimed to have broken into Israeli officials’ devices as early as 2026. The irony is that it was Israel that introduced Pegasus (NSO Group spyware), which is now forcing even its leaders to use low-tech security measures.
Broader context: Israel drafted **National Cybersecurity Law 2026** (published in January 2026) to enforce cybersecurity for critical infrastructure amid increasing state-sponsored attacks. The IDF also banned Android phones for senior officers (in late 2025), and mandated iPhones for official communications due to open-source vulnerabilities.
Nafal’s question – “If the Prime Minister of Israel feels the need to do this, what does it mean for the common man?” – echoes. Although most users face fewer threats, experts say physical covers are more effective against advanced attacks than software alone. Simple tape or sliders remain an effective, physics-based security measure in high-risk scenarios.
