3 arrested for WhatsApp leaks on soldiers' deaths

WhatsApp
WhatsApp

Names of soldiers killed in Gaza were put on WhatsApp before families were informed.

The Military Police yesterday arrested three soldiers from the IDF Manpower Division, the Military Rabbinical Unit and Medical Unit on suspicion of leaking information on WhatsApp. The three allegedly leaked the names of Golani soldiers killed in Shejiya earlier this week and pictures of their coffins being prepared.

The IDF has decided to put an end to the trend of circulating rumors on operational matters via social media and messaging apps. The practice has already caused enormous emotional distress to the families of fallen soldiers who heard about the deaths of their fallen ones before IDF officers were able to inform them.

In at least two cases parents heard rumors that their sons had been killed when they had not even been injured. Because the trend of circulating unsubstantiated rumors has grown since the Gaza ground offensive was launched, the IDF has begun a campaign using the slogan "Fighting Major Rumors," a phenomenon causing so much distress to so many families.

The investigation by the Military Police is being conducted in collaboration with the Israel Police Computer Unit. Details were revealed this morning after the arrest of the suspected soldiers. The IDF has reiterated that leaking information on social media and messaging apps is an offense.

The IDF has also stressed that the situation of soldiers on the battlefield has also been circulated and that is information known to very few people in the Manpower, Rabbinical and Medical units.

“IDF Radio" (Galei Zahal) reports that a fourth person, a civilian has also been arrested on the matter.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 23, 2014

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2014

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