NSO Spyware Maker Ordered to Pay $167M to Meta Over Targeted Attack on WhatsApp Users
A significant development has unfolded in the ongoing saga surrounding Israeli spyware developer NSO Group, with a U.S. federal judge ordering the company to pay $167 million in damages to Meta over a targeted attack on WhatsApp users using its Pegasus spyware.
In a major legal and financial setback for NSO, the court's ruling compels the company to hand over the source code for Pegasus and other related spyware tools. This marks a significant turning point in the ongoing civil case, which will proceed after NSO complies with the order.
The Targeted Attack: A Look Back
Meta filed the lawsuit in 2019 after uncovering that Pegasus was used to attack around 1,400 WhatsApp users over a two-week period. The U.S. District Court ruled in Meta's favor, requiring NSO to submit all spyware used between April 2018 and May 2020, along with documentation explaining their full capabilities.
The Impact: A Victory for Meta
Judge Phyllis Hamilton's decision forces NSO to disclose technical details it long resisted. WhatsApp will receive not only Pegasus's code but also that of any spyware used in the year before and after the attack window. According to The Guardian, the court's order is a "major legal victory" for Meta.
The Background: A Crackdown on Commercial Surveillance Tools
NSO had argued against turning over its tools, citing national security concerns and client confidentiality. However, the judge dismissed these arguments, dealing a significant blow to NSO's attempts to shield itself from accountability.
NSO's legal defeat comes on top of mounting international pressure. The U.S. government blacklisted the company in 2021, banning American firms from doing business with it. This decision cut NSO off from U.S. law enforcement agencies, once its primary customers.
A Broader Crackdown
Apple also sued NSO and began alerting iPhone users targeted by Pegasus, further isolating the company. Apple has introduced a Lockdown Mode on iPhones to protect high-risk users, including journalists, politicians, and activists, by closing off common points of entry used by spyware.
The Future of NSO
The judgment strengthens Meta's position and may serve as a warning to other private surveillance firms operating in legal gray zones. The U.S. government recently imposed visa restrictions on foreign nationals involved in the misuse of spyware, signaling a broader crackdown on commercial surveillance tools.
As reported by The Guardian and confirmed in court filings, the NSO Group's future now hangs in the balance—not just legally, but financially. The company's survival is uncertain, with its reputation severely damaged by the ongoing scandal surrounding Pegasus and other spyware tools.