A RECENT assertion by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that “anyone who owns a mobile phone basically has Israel in the palm of their hand” has sparked widespread apprehension about privacy and state surveillance worldwide.
Speaking to a United States Congress delegation in West Jerusalem, Netanyahu praised Israel’s achievements in technology, medicine, weaponry, and food production. However, his statement has been met with criticism, as many perceive it as a bold claim reflecting Israel’s expanding dominance in the global technology landscape.
Critics argue that beneath Netanyahu’s rhetoric lies a deeper worry regarding the extent to which Israeli-origin technology is embedded in modern smartphones, raising fears about potential access to private data on an international scale.
Technology specialist Dr Mohd Azlishah Othman clarified that Netanyahu’s remark should be understood symbolically rather than literally. “It’s more about the fact that so many innovations and creations from Israel are embedded in the technology we use every day,” he explained.
Nonetheless, Dr Azlishah acknowledged that the statement highlights a serious threat to digital freedom globally. Israel’s rapid progress in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and mobile application development provides it with a strategic edge in controlling the flow of data worldwide.
“If this technology is exploited for espionage purposes, it could easily compromise the privacy of millions and open the door to manipulation of sensitive information belonging to governments, corporations or individuals,” he warned.
This view was echoed by Siraj Jalil, President of the Malaysian Cyber Consumers Association (MCCA), who emphasised the increasing difficulty of maintaining privacy in today’s app-dependent environment.
“Achieving absolute privacy is virtually impossible,” Siraj said. “Almost every app we use — including AI-based ones — demands access to microphones, cameras or photo galleries. Denying full access often means losing full functionality.”
He cautioned that this reality complicates cybersecurity, as app development closely follows user behaviour, creating more opportunities for privacy breaches.
When questioned about the possibility of Israeli surveillance targeting Malaysians via mobile devices, Siraj did not dismiss the risk.
“Smartphones can be exploited for monitoring purposes, even when thought to be secure. There are globally popular apps developed or owned by Israeli companies, especially in sectors like cybersecurity, fintech, gaming and spyware,” he said.
Siraj added applications used unwittingly might collect metadata to be sent to Israeli agencies, while cyberattacks involving phishing, hacking, and spoofed links continue to threaten users.
“Emails, WhatsApp messages or fake links can be used to steal login data, which is then used to spread messages or track a victim’s social network,” he added.
Despite these risks, Siraj recommended that users minimise exposure by restricting the amount of personal data stored on their devices.
“Don’t treat your phone as a space for absolute privacy. Avoid keeping sensitive information or personal photos. That way, if a breach occurs, at least the risk is contained,” he advised. - September 18, 2025
