An evidence-based look at Balenciaga’s documented business connection to Israel
Introduction
When examining a global fashion brand’s business relationships, it is important to look beyond rumours and rely on the company’s own official documents. In the case of Balenciaga, its published privacy policy provides documented evidence of a business relationship involving an Israeli company, Riskified Ltd.
This article examines what the available evidence establishes, how the relationship works, and what consumers should understand before making their own decisions.
1. Balenciaga’s Official Privacy Policy
The strongest primary source for this connection is Balenciaga’s own privacy policy.
According to its published policy, Balenciaga may disclose transaction details from purchases made on its website to Riskified Ltd., whose registered office is listed in Tel Aviv, Israel. The stated purpose is to conduct security and anti-fraud checks on online transactions.
The policy further states that Riskified processes transaction information to review purchases for potential fraudulent activity and that the information may be processed in Israel.
Official evidence:
https://www.balenciaga.com/en-th/legal/privacy-policy/privacy-policy.html
This is significant because the information comes directly from Balenciaga’s published documentation rather than from an unverified social media post.
2. What Is Riskified?
Riskified is an e-commerce fraud prevention and risk intelligence company. It provides services that help online merchants assess transactions, detect suspicious purchases and manage payment-related risks.
Riskified’s official investor relations website confirms that the company is incorporated in Israel and maintains offices there.
Official source:
https://ir.riskified.com/ir-resources/faqs
The company’s annual report filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission also identifies Israel as its jurisdiction of incorporation.
SEC filing:
https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1851112/000185111225000006/rskd-20241231.htm
These sources independently establish Riskified’s Israeli corporate connection.
3. How Are Balenciaga and Israel Connected?
The documented relationship can be explained in three steps:
First, Balenciaga’s privacy policy states that it may share online purchase transaction details with Riskified for fraud prevention and security checks.
Second, Balenciaga identifies Riskified’s registered office as being in Tel Aviv, Israel, and states that transaction information may be processed in Israel.
Third, Riskified’s own corporate disclosures confirm that it is incorporated under Israeli law.
Taken together, these documents establish a documented business and data-processing connection between Balenciaga’s online shopping operations and an Israeli-incorporated company.
However, the policy does not establish that every customer's information is necessarily shared, nor does it establish that Balenciaga directly finances the Israeli government or military.
- 4. Why Should Consumers Care?
Consumers who want to understand a brand’s international business relationships should have access to accurate information about the companies involved in processing their personal data.
Balenciaga’s privacy policy provides one concrete example of how a luxury fashion brand can work with an external company incorporated in another country. Consumers can review the policy themselves, examine the company’s disclosures and decide how this information fits into their personal purchasing choices.
A responsible consumer campaign should distinguish between documented business relationships, financial contributions, political endorsements and military support. These are different claims and require different evidence.
Conclusion
The official documentation establishes a specific connection: Balenciaga states that it may disclose online purchase transaction details to Riskified Ltd. for anti-fraud checks, and that the information may be processed in Israel. Riskified independently confirms its Israeli incorporation.
This is a verifiable business connection worth examining. It should not, however, be presented as proof that Balenciaga directly funds Israel’s government or military, because the cited documents do not establish that claim.
The evidence speaks for itself. Read the original documents, verify the facts and make an informed decision.
Primary Sources
1. Balenciaga Privacy Policy: https://www.balenciaga.com/en-th/legal/privacy-policy/privacy-policy.html
2. Riskified Investor Relations FAQ: https://ir.riskified.com/ir-resources/faqs
3. Riskified Annual Report, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1851112/000185111225000006/rskd-20241231.htm