Police are investigating how computer listings containing personal information about every Israeli citizen ended up in the hands of at least one private company.
Israeli television reported that the company, Makbalit, was selling CD-ROM computer disks containing data on the Israeli population. The information, which is normally used by government agencies, is not for publication or general distribution.
According to the report, at the touch of a button, users of the CD-ROM can call up the age, telephone number and address of every Israeli citizen – including the head of the General security Services, whose identity is generally kept secret.
The head of the police investigations unit, Yosef Levy, said a search is on for the owners of the company, who he said went into hiding after getting word they were suspected of wrongdoing.
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