Israeli Spyware Firm NSO Group Ordered to Pay $170 Million to WhatsApp in Landmark Privacy Case
A U.S. federal jury in California has ordered Israeli spyware firm NSO Group to pay nearly $170 million in damages to WhatsApp and its parent company Meta for hacking approximately 1,400 WhatsApp accounts in 2019. The court found NSO liable for deploying its Pegasus spyware to exploit WhatsApp’s video calling system, enabling the injection of malware into user devices. The verdict includes about $167 million in punitive damages and over $440,000 in compensatory damages. The
This legal win marks a significant victory for privacy advocates and sets a precedent for holding spyware manufacturers accountable. Meta announced plans to seek a court order to prevent future NSO intrusions and to donate funds to digital rights organizations. Transcripts from depositions of NSO officials will also be released to aid global spyware research.
NSO Group, placed on the U.S. Commerce Department’s restricted list in 2021, maintains that its technology is used responsibly by government agencies to prevent crime and terrorism and plans to appeal the decision. Politico
The case underscores international concerns and legislative efforts regarding the misuse of spyware against civil society actors. Other tech companies like Apple have taken and later dropped legal action against NSO.
This verdict is a landmark in the fight against the misuse of surveillance technology and emphasizes the importance of digital privacy and security.