NSO Group Ordered to Pay $167m for WhatsApp Hack
The Israeli firm behind the Pegasus spyware, NSO Group, has been ordered to pay WhatsApp a staggering $167m (£125m) for hacking into the personal devices of 1,400 people in 2019. This verdict marks a significant victory for the social media giant and raises questions about the misuse of sophisticated technology by authoritarian regimes.
Pegasus is a malicious software that can be installed remotely on mobile phones to access sensitive information, including microphones and cameras. The spyware has been accused of being used by countries to monitor journalists, activists, and even political figures. WhatsApp owner Meta described this verdict as the "first victory against the development and use of illegal spyware".
NSO Group maintains that its technology is only intended for use against serious criminals and terrorists. However, there are accusations that the company's products have been used to target individuals deemed a national security threat. In 2021, a leaked list of 50,000 phone numbers revealed that Pegasus spyware had infected devices belonging to high-profile targets, including politicians, heads of state, business executives, activists, and even members of royal families.
Some notable victims of the alleged hacking include French President Emmanuel Macron and relations of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Arabia's government who was murdered in 2018. The use of Pegasus spyware has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the limits of technological innovation and the accountability of companies that develop such tools.
The case marks a significant shift in the way technology giants are held accountable for their actions. WhatsApp's success in this lawsuit opens up NSO Group to potential legal action from other tech giants whose platforms were targeted with Pegasus spyware. Meta described the verdict as "a critical deterrent to this malicious industry against their illegal acts aimed at American companies."
NSO Group has stated that it will "carefully examine the verdict's details and pursue appropriate legal remedies, including further proceedings and an appeal". The company maintains that its technology is deployed responsibly by authorized government agencies. However, the verdict raises questions about the true intentions of NSO Group and whether its products are being used for their intended purpose.
The implications of this verdict extend beyond the individual cases to raise broader concerns about the ethics of surveillance and the impact on democracy. As technology continues to evolve, it is essential that companies like WhatsApp and others prioritize transparency and accountability in their dealings with governments and other entities.
Meta has also been awarded $444,000 in damages from NSO Group. The verdict comes after a six-year battle between the US social media giant and the Israeli surveillance firm. The outcome sets an important precedent for future cases involving technology giants and their dealings with malicious actors.