WhatsApp Receives $167 Million in Damages in Lawsuit Against Spyware Developer NSO
About six years ago, WhatsApp discovered and halted the attack by spyware developer NSO Group. The company developed the notorious Pegasus spyware that was used to eavesdrop on WhatsApp users. According to Meta, more than 1,400 people in twenty countries were targeted, including journalists and politicians. “Today, our lawsuit made history as the first victory against illegal spyware that threatens everyone’s safety and privacy,” said Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company.
Spyware service
In 2016, NSO Group discovered a vulnerability in WhatsApp. This allowed them to eavesdrop on users through their microphones and cameras. Not only WhatsApp was affected, but other applications including Gmail, Facebook, and Skype also fell victim.
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WhatsApp discovered the abuse in 2019, after which it immediately went to court. “The jury’s decision to force NSO, a notorious foreign spyware dealer, to pay damages is a crucial deterrent for this malicious industry against their illegal actions targeting American companies and the privacy and security of the people we serve,” Meta says in a message.