WhatsApp Wins Lawsuit: NSO Group Permanently Blocked

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The years-long lawsuit has concluded in favor of WhatsApp. Spyware maker NSO Group no longer has access to the app.

The Israeli spyware maker NSO Group is permanently banned from attacking WhatsApp users. A federal judge in the US decided this after a lengthy legal battle between the company and Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company.

NSO Group Receives Permanent Ban, but Lower Fine

The case revolves around NSO Group installing spyware via WhatsApp on the phones of more than 1,400 users, including journalists and human rights activists. The attack exploited a vulnerability in WhatsApp’s call system, allowing hackers to access devices without user interaction.

The judge prohibits NSO Group from any future attempts to hack the platform or its users. At the same time, the previously imposed fine of 167 million dollars has been sharply reduced to about 4 million dollars. According to the judge, there is insufficient evidence that NSO’s behavior was “extraordinarily malicious,” necessitating a legal reduction of the fine.

Millions of Users Protected

WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart calls the verdict “a victory after six years of litigation to hold NSO accountable.” According to him, the verdict protects millions of users worldwide from the abuse of commercial spyware tools. NSO Group, known for its notorious Pegasus spyware, recently confirmed that a takeover by a group of American investors is imminent.