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Latest Updates / Regulation
November 24, 2020
Regulation of Broker-Dealer Activity
While the activity of most financial intermediaries in Israel is regulated and supervised, broker-dealers have so far operated in an unsupervised manner and without dedicated regulation. In light of this, the Israel Securities Authority has published a legislative memorandum aimed at regulating the field of broker-dealers in Israel.
November 15, 2020
Privacy Protection Authority: Appointing a Privacy Protection Supervisor Is a Necessary Step for Israeli Companies
Israel’s Privacy Protection Authority has published its recommendation that every organization appoint a privacy protection supervisor. This supervisor’s task is to implement the privacy protection laws that apply to the organization. The PPA noted that although Israeli law does not impose such a duty, it is a best practice recommended for organizations that collect and analyze personal data.
November 9, 2020
Crowdfunding Platforms – New Regulation in Europe
The European Parliament recently adopted a new regulation on crowdfunding platform activity. This regulation will apply across the board to all European Union countries. According to the new regulation's provisions, it is possible to raise up to only EUR 5 million on a crowdfunding platform. Additionally, the regulation stipulates rules to protect people investing through a crowdfunding platform, reporting duties for the entities raising funds, and more.
November 2, 2020
COVID-19, From Crisis to Opportunity
Crises test our resilience. They prevent us from deceiving ourselves about things that are unpleasant to face. Therefore, the COVID-19 crisis is a real opportunity to upgrade an organizations compliance mechanisms and the status of its compliance officer. This includes not only improving compliance capabilities, but also integrating and deepening connections to the organizations management.
October 27, 2020
Israeli Government Encourages Companies to Publish Corporate Responsibility Reports
A recently launched government program aims to encourage companies to publish social responsibility reports, or ESG (environmental, social, and government) responsibility reports. The Ministry of Strategic Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office announced the launch of the “Impact Nation" program, as part of a broad move to promote publication of positive economic information regarding Israeli companies, following the publication of the Israeli companies database by UN Human Rights Council.
October 25, 2020
H&M Fined EUR 35 Million for Violating Employee Privacy in Germany
In early October, the Data Protection Authority in Hamburg, Germany announced that the clothing retailer HM committed severe violations of its employees' privacy. Because of these European General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) violations, the retailer would pay a fine of approximately 35 million euros.
September 21, 2020
Blockchain and Digital Currencies Regulation
Dr. Zvi Gabbay examines in a short video the topic of digital currencies and recent developments in blockchain regulation in Israel.
July 29, 2020
Privacy Evolution: Europe v. Israel
A July decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union has established that in light of the fact the United States does not respect the privacy of its citizens in accordance with EU standards, the Privacy Shield mechanism allowing for personal data transfers between Europe and the US can no longer be relied upon. At the same time, in Israel, the Ministry of Justice has published a memorandum that constitutes the first step in adjusting existing law to the digital age.
July 14, 2020
Does Covid-19 Void Contracts?
The inter-ministerial team assembled to examine the consequences of the Covid-19 crisis on contractual agreements has recently published its recommendations.
July 9, 2020
Fintech Companies: New Program to Facilitate Regulatory Reliefs
Although Israel is a world leader in the fintech field, companies operating in this area face many regulatory challenges. A newly published legal memorandum aims to enable the creation of a “sandbox”, with inspiration from various programs already implemented in Japan, Australia, and Singapore. The goal is to establish a unique experimental environment, a “regulatory sandbox,” where regulatory relief is granted to companies who choose to participate in the program.
July 1, 2020
Israel – How Your Business Can Avoid the Dramatic Increase in Accessibility Class Actions
Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the enforcement of accessibility issues in Israel. More and more companies are facing requests for certification of class action suits for failing to make services accessible to people with disabilities. Such proceedings, exempt from court fees, are initiated by lead plaintiffs against big and small organizations, from both the private and public sectors.
June 23, 2020
Companies' Collection of Personal Data – an Interview with Anat Even-Chen
Globes has published a comprehensive article on technology solutions relating to the relationship between property lenders and tenants. Anat was interviewed as part of the article about the privacy of such platforms' users. Anat cited Airbnb's case as an example. The company finally agreed, after years of discussions, to hand over host data to New York City. Anat stressed that private individuals should be aware that their information can be collected and that data collection is much easier now than ever before.
June 21, 2020
Crowdfunding Regulation in Israel
In a short video, Dr. Zvi Gabbay explains the crowdfunding model, which has become an attractive channel for both investors and companies seeking funding, and overviews current regulation in Israel.
May 24, 2020
An Opportunity for Regulators
The Israel Securities Authority's current enforcement policy forces officers and companies that have acted in good faith to prove as much in an administrative enforcement proceeding. Check out an opinion article by Dr. Zvi Gabbay and Shir Rozenzweig published in TheMarker about how regulators can adjust this policy.
May 20, 2020
Doing Business in Israel – Practical Law
This year, we were once again responsible for preparing the QA guide on doing business in Israel for the Practical Law website. The guide provides an overview of recent key developments that have affected doing business in Israel, including the legal system, foreign investment, employment, tax, competition, privacy, IP, etc.
April 28, 2020
Libra 2.0 – From Global Currency to a Payment Method on Facebook’s Platform
After Libra, Facebook’s ambitious global digital currency venture, faced fierce resistance from regulators around the world, Facebook has announced “Libra 2.0.” The venture is set to undergo far-reaching changes that, on the one hand, will likely do away with regulatory concerns, but, on the other, will force Facebook to give up its original vision, i.e. a quick and simple transfer of digital currencies between accepted users worldwide without the need for a bank account.
April 2, 2020
Israel: Extending Validity of Regulatory Approvals in Light of the Coronavirus Crisis
On March 25, 2020, emergency regulations were adopted in Israel that include, among other things, an extension of the validity of regulatory approvals that expire in the near future.
March 29, 2020
Coronavirus in Israel – Getting Your Business Seen as an Essential Service
Special coronavirus-related emergency regulations were promulgated in Israel on March 21, 2020, listing specific economic activities considered as essential that are allowed to operate with fewer limitations.
March 26, 2020
Protecting Privacy despite the Coronavirus
The global effort to fight the spread of coronavirus has prompted new privacy related questions around the world. Much has been written for and against the use of privacy-compromising measures to protect public health. Therefore, we have chosen to concentrate on the practical implications of privacy principles on companies and businesses.
March 22, 2020
The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection Issues Guidelines for Permit and License Holders for Foreseeable Future
On March 18, 2020, the Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection issued a set of guidelines for adjustments to businesses and factories with permits and licenses issued by it for toxin permits, emission permits, and business licenses with environmental conditions.