Divorce disputes were once centered on classic issues like asset division, child custody, and alimony. Today, as the focus of our lives shifts to the cloud, smartphones, and social networks, digital spaces have become primary battlegrounds. Adv. Golan Aharon of Aharon & Co. notes that the attempt to obtain a "smoking gun" in a family struggle can sometimes cross red lines, leading parties outside the family court and directly into the criminal sphere. Adv.
Aharon explains that mobile phones are now vast databases containing correspondence, photos, and GPS locations, creating a temptation to access accounts without authorization or use tracking software. This is compounded by artificial intelligence (AI), which enables the creation of fake content—such as recordings or images—that appears authentic, posing a complex challenge for lawyers and judges when assessing evidence reliability. One of the clear red lines identified by Adv.
Aharon concerns the use of intimate materials as a pressure tactic. He states that threatening to expose sensitive materials or medical and business information is not a legitimate tactic, and such actions may be perceived as extortion, triggering serious legal consequences. Another phenomenon in this new reality is "digital kidnapping," which includes changing passwords and blocking access to digital assets like email accounts, crypto wallets, or business pages.
These cases raise questions regarding property rights and unauthorized use of information, often necessitating an immediate court application for interim relief. Additionally, Adv. Aharon warns against the use of "smart home" technology. Security systems, cameras, and remote home climate control can turn from utilities into tools for control and harassment by an ex-spouse, potentially leading to claims of privacy violations or wiretapping. As a practical recommendation, Adv.
Aharon emphasizes the importance of digital order during a separation: updating passwords for all online accounts, checking active connections on computers and apps like WhatsApp Web, and completely avoiding independent detective work such as installing tracking devices or hacking a spouse's device, as these can implicate the perpetrator in criminal proceedings and negatively affect the family case.