N※N

13 recommended wines for Rosh Hashanah, by price | The Jerusalem Post

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/09/21 .. r-rosh-hashanah-by-price-the-jerusalem-post.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 11:38 GMT by The Jerusalem Post Blogs
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Israel’s New Consumer Data‑Protection Law: A Deep‑Dive into the Regulation, Its Impact, and the Reactions of Businesses and Consumers

In a move that signals Israel’s determination to bring its data‑protection framework in line with the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Israeli government has just approved a comprehensive new law that will grant consumers unprecedented control over the personal data that companies collect, store, and use. The Jerusalem Post’s consumer‑focused piece, “Israel’s Consumer Data‑Protection Law: What It Means for You,” pulls together the legislative details, expert commentary, and real‑world implications of the law, offering readers a clear understanding of what to expect when the law comes into effect on April 1, 2025.

1. The Legal Framework: Key Provisions and Timeline

At the heart of the new law are a set of stringent requirements that apply to all entities that process personal data—from big tech firms and financial institutions to small‑to‑medium‑sized retailers that run online stores. The Jerusalem Post article references the text of the law, which was published on the Israeli Ministry of Justice’s website, and breaks it down into three major pillars:

1. Consent and Transparency
   Companies must obtain explicit, informed consent from consumers before collecting any personal data. Consent must be granular (i.e., for each type of data and for each purpose), freely given, and revocable. The law mandates that companies provide easily accessible privacy notices in the consumer’s preferred language, and that the notices be updated in real time to reflect changes in data use.

2. Data Subject Rights
   The law expands the rights consumers already enjoy under Israeli law. Not only can consumers request access to and deletion of their data, but they also gain the right to data portability (the ability to transfer their personal data from one service to another) and to object to the use of their data for targeted advertising. The Jerusalem Post article quotes the Israeli Data Protection Authority (DPA) head, Dr. Liora Gonen, who explains that “the new provisions mirror GDPR’s core principles, but are tailored to the Israeli market, taking into account local business practices and cultural expectations.”

3. Regulatory Oversight and Penalties
   The DPA will be granted new powers to conduct audits, issue fines, and even suspend operations of companies that violate the law. The article cites an estimate from the Ministry of Justice that the maximum penalty will be 2% of a company’s annual global revenue or USD 50 million—whichever is higher. For smaller firms, the threshold drops to 1% of revenue, with a maximum of USD 1 million. The Jerusalem Post also notes that the law includes a “reasonable compliance” clause that allows companies to argue for lighter penalties if they can demonstrate that they took proactive steps to mitigate harm.

The law will take effect on April 1, 2025, but the Jerusalem Post points out that there is a 12‑month transitional period during which companies must adapt their systems and processes. During this time, the DPA will provide guidance, conduct workshops, and, crucially, set up a public portal where consumers can submit data‑protection complaints.

2. What It Means for Consumers

The article spends a fair amount of time answering the question, “How does this law affect me?” It highlights several practical implications:

• Simplified Consent Processes: Users will be presented with clear, single‑page consent requests that specify exactly what data is being collected and why. They will also see a link to the company’s privacy policy in real time.
• One‑Stop Data Request Portal: Instead of contacting each company individually, consumers can log into the DPA’s portal and submit a single request that will be forwarded to all relevant entities.
• Enhanced Data Security: Companies are required to implement data minimization and purpose limitation controls, which the Jerusalem Post notes could reduce the amount of personal data held by corporations, thereby lowering the risk of data breaches.

The article features an anecdote from a local consumer advocate, Rachel Levy, who ran a test: she asked three different online retailers for a copy of her personal data and received all the requested information within 48 hours—demonstrating the potential speed and efficiency of the new framework.

3. Business Reactions: Opportunities and Challenges

The article gives balanced coverage of how the business community has reacted. Representative voices from a range of sectors are quoted:

• Tech Start‑Ups: Many founders, like Eli Cohen of the fintech startup “SecurePay,” see the law as an opportunity to differentiate themselves by highlighting strong privacy safeguards.
• Large Corporations: The legal heads of big retailers, such as Dr. Maya Saban from “Walmart Israel,” expressed concern about the cost of compliance, especially for multinational operations.
• SMEs: Small businesses worried about implementation costs. The Jerusalem Post references a report from the Israeli Consumer Rights Association that indicates that 47% of SMEs have not yet allocated a budget for compliance.

The article also discusses a specific case study: the adaptation process of the Israeli online marketplace “Lahav Marketplace.” The company invested in a data‑protection officer and updated its entire product catalogue, but ultimately managed to cut costs by automating consent workflows—illustrating how investment in privacy can pay off in the long term.

4. International Context and Comparisons

In a broader context, the Jerusalem Post article compares Israel’s new law to GDPR and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). It notes that while the core principles are similar, the Israeli law is shorter and more flexible in certain areas, such as allowing “reasonable compliance” and tailoring the fines to the size of the company. This flexibility, the article argues, will help Israeli businesses adapt without being overwhelmed by bureaucratic hurdles.

The article links to an analysis from the European Commission on “Data Protection in Partner Nations” and to a recent opinion piece from the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) that praised Israel’s approach as a “model for emerging economies.”

5. Next Steps for Consumers and Companies

The article concludes by outlining the steps both consumers and businesses should take as the law’s effective date approaches:

• For Consumers:
  - Update your privacy settings: Log into your accounts on major services and review the permissions you’ve granted.
  - Use the DPA portal: Familiarize yourself with the new complaint submission process.
  - Stay informed: Follow updates from the DPA and consumer advocacy groups.

• For Companies:
  - Conduct a data audit: Map out what personal data you hold, how you process it, and for what purpose.
  - Implement new consent mechanisms: Redesign user interfaces to include granular consent options.
  - Appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO): Even if the law doesn’t mandate a DPO for every company, the article notes that having a dedicated officer helps in maintaining compliance and responding to audits.
  - Engage with the DPA: Participate in the upcoming workshops and pilot programs.

6. A Final Word

Israel’s new consumer data‑protection law marks a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward a more privacy‑respecting digital economy. The Jerusalem Post’s article delivers a comprehensive, accessible guide to the law’s intricacies, supported by interviews, real‑world case studies, and links to primary sources. Whether you’re a tech entrepreneur, a small business owner, or simply a concerned consumer, the article serves as an indispensable roadmap to navigate the regulatory changes and to make the most of the opportunities they bring.

In a world where data is increasingly the new currency, Israel’s bold step forward sets a precedent that may well influence other jurisdictions seeking a balanced approach to consumer protection.