JERUSALEM — A single photograph of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking on a smartphone has become a digital sensation on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. The image, captured in an underground parking garage at the Knesset, shows Netanyahu dressed in a black jacket and white shirt, holding a phone whose rear camera lenses are crudely obscured by thick red tape.
While the image has racked up millions of views and prompted influencers like Mario Nawfal to question what this means for “average people,” security experts suggest the move is far more routine than it looks.
1. Standard Protocol, Not Paranoia
According to reports and security analysts, the red tape is not a personal choice by Netanyahu but a standard Israeli security protocol for classified environments.
- Tamper-Evident Seals: The red tape is actually a security sticker applied to personal devices when entering highly sensitive or “restricted” government zones (like the Knesset’s underground bunkers).
- Prevention of Accidental Recording: These seals physically block lenses to prevent any intentional or accidental photography or recording of classified maps, documents, or high-security personnel.
- Visible Breach: The design of these stickers ensures that if they are removed, they leave a visible residue or damage, signaling a breach of security rules.
2. The Spyware Paradox: Pegasus & Beyond
The image has sparked irony online given Israel’s own association with high-end surveillance tools.
- The Pegasus Factor: Israel is the home of NSO Group, the creator of the Pegasus spyware—a “zero-click” tool that can remotely activate a phone’s camera and microphone without the user ever knowing.
- State-Level Threats: Security experts like Sunny Nehra (Secure Your Hacks) note that for high-profile targets like a Prime Minister, “commercial-grade spyware used by states can operate in stealth mode.” Taping the camera is the only 100% foolproof “physical kill-switch” against digital intrusion.
3. Should You Tape Your Camera?
The viral moment has prompted a surge in “digital hygiene” queries. Here is how experts break it down for the general public:
| Risk Level | Who is it for? | Recommended Action |
| High Risk | Politicians, Journalists, Activists | Tape/Physical Covers are essential. |
| Moderate Risk | Corporate Executives, High-Net-Worth | Privacy-focused OS and software blocks. |
| Average User | General Public | Software Permissions: Check which apps have “Always On” camera access in settings. |