WhatsApp secures Permanent Ban Against Spyware Firm NSO Group, Fine Reduced
A U.S. federal judge has permanently blocked Israeli cyberintelligence company NSO Group from targeting users of WhatsApp, the Meta-owned messaging app. The ruling concludes a six-year legal battle initiated by WhatsApp against the firm, which has been accused of developing spyware used to surveil journalists, human rights activists, and others.
Earlier this year, a jury resolute NSO Group owed Meta more than $167 million in damages stemming from a 2019 campaign that compromised over 1,400 WhatsApp users. However, U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled Friday that insufficient evidence existed to classify NSO Group’s conduct as “particularly egregious,” capping the punitive damages ratio at 9 to 1 and reducing the financial penalty to approximately $4 million.
“We applaud this decision that comes after six years of litigation to hold NSO accountable for targeting members of civil society,” said WhatsApp Head Will Cathart in a statement provided to Courthouse News Service. “This ruling bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again.”
The decision arrives as NSO Group recently confirmed its acquisition by U.S. investors, as reported October 10th.
