Torah Ombudsman

Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy
מדיניות פרטיות – יוזמת תורת האומבודסמן
Last Updated: January 1, 2026

The Torah Ombudsman Initiative is an independent, non-profit, community-driven effort dedicated to promoting ethical accountability and justice in accordance with Torah values. We are committed to protecting the privacy and anonymity of those who use this platform, especially whistleblowers reporting concerns about ethical or halachic lapses.

1. No Collection of Personal Data
This website and submission form are intentionally designed to allow fully anonymous reporting. We do not require or collect personal information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, IP addresses (where technically configurable to avoid), or any other personally identifiable data unless you voluntarily provide it in the optional contact fields.

  • Submissions are accepted without authentication or tracking that could identify you.
  • Any uploaded files or text descriptions are treated as anonymous content.
  • If you choose the “full anonymity” checkbox and leave contact fields blank, no identifiable information is stored or linked to your report.

This approach ensures maximum protection for reporters, in line with the Torah’s emphasis on tochachah (constructive rebuke, Leviticus 19:17) and not standing idly by (Leviticus 19:16), while minimizing risks of unnecessary disclosure.

2. Purpose of Data Handling
Any content you submit (descriptions, evidence files) is used solely for the purpose of ethical review and potential private resolution. Reports are handled confidentially by trusted individuals guided by halachic principles, starting with internal rebuke where possible and escalating responsibly only when justice, protection of the vulnerable, or pikuach nefesh (saving life) requires it. We do not use submissions for any other purpose, including marketing, research, or public disclosure without strong ethical justification.

3. Anonymity and Confidentiality
Anonymity is a core commitment. We take all reasonable steps to prevent identification of submitters:

  • No automatic logging of identifying metadata where avoidable.
  • Reports are reviewed privately and not shared externally without careful halachic consideration (e.g., avoiding mesira concerns in open societies by using internal/ethical channels first, per modern poskim).
  • In cases of serious wrongdoing (e.g., danger to life or major public harm), escalation may occur per halacha, but only in a way that prioritizes justice and protects innocents—never to punish the reporter.

4. Security Measures
We implement appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to protect submitted content from unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or misuse:

  • Secure HTTPS encryption for all transmissions.
  • Limited access to submissions (only trusted reviewers).
  • Secure storage with minimal retention (data kept only as long as necessary for review, then anonymized or deleted).
  • Anti-spam and security tools (e.g., honeypot, Turnstile) to prevent abuse without compromising legitimate anonymity.

While no system is 100% secure, we use reasonable efforts aligned with best practices.

5. Data Retention and Deletion
Since no personal data is collected, there is no personal data to retain or delete. Submitted content is kept only for the minimum time needed to process the report ethically, then securely deleted or fully anonymized. We do not maintain long-term identifiable records.

6. Sharing and Third Parties
Submitted content is never shared with third parties for commercial purposes. In rare cases of necessary escalation (e.g., to protect others), involvement of external authorities follows halachic guidance and prioritizes confidentiality. No personal information is transferred, sold, or disclosed.

7. Compliance with Law
This initiative complies with Israel’s Protection of Privacy Law (5741-1981), including amendments (such as Amendment 13 effective 2025), which emphasize transparency, security, purpose limitation, and minimal data collection. Since we collect no personal information in standard use, many formal obligations do not apply, but we uphold the spirit of the law through full transparency and accountability. The platform is not a regulated “database” under PPL due to its anonymous design.

8. Your Rights and Questions
If you voluntarily provided contact information, you may request information about how your submission was handled (subject to ethical constraints). For general questions about this policy or the initiative, contact us via the site (no personal data required). We may update this policy as needed; changes will be posted here.

9. Halachic Commitment
Our handling of reports is guided by Torah principles: fear of Heaven, pursuit of justice (Deuteronomy 16:20), and protection of the community. We encourage righteous action while safeguarding those who illuminate shadows.

By using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to this Privacy Policy. Thank you for your courage in promoting teshuva and integrity.

If you have concerns about this policy, please reach out—we welcome feedback to strengthen trust