# Meta and NSO Court Battle Ends with $167 Million Verdict in Favor of WhatsApp Owner
In a significant win for privacy and security, a US court has ruled in favor of Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, in a six-year-long court battle against Israeli cybersecurity company NSO Group Technologies Ltd. The verdict, which was announced on May 6, 2025, sees Meta awarded $167 million in damages after NSO was found guilty of installing spyware on journalists' and activists' WhatsApp accounts.
The lawsuit began in 2019 when the Toronto-based research laboratory Citizen Lab discovered that NSO had installed the notorious Pegasus spyware on 1,400 WhatsApp accounts belonging to journalists, activists, and government officials. Once installed, the account owner's camera and microphone could be turned on, while location information, emails, and text messages were accessible. The software could be installed simply by sending a text message, and no action was required from the user.
The impact of this attack was severe, with many victims facing harassment, intimidation, and even physical harm. This led to widespread outrage and calls for greater regulation of spyware vendors. As WhatsApp Chief Will Cathcart wrote in The Washington Post at the time, "This should serve as a wake-up call for technology companies, governments, and all internet users."
NSO had claimed it had sovereign immunity from the lawsuit, stating that it worked closely with foreign government intelligence agencies. However, this argument was rejected by the court. In its statement, Meta described the verdict as an "important step forward for privacy and security," saying that it would serve as a critical deterrent to the malicious industry of spyware development.
The US Department of Commerce had previously sanctioned NSO Group after determining that the company's spyware was a malicious threat to officials, journalists, and academics. However, NSO may still appeal this verdict, with spokesperson Gil Lainer stating that such software aims to prevent "serious crime and terrorism" and is deployed responsibly by authorized government agencies.
As for Meta, it expressed relief and vindication at the court's decision. In a statement, Meta said: “Today’s verdict in WhatsApp’s case is an important step forward for privacy and security as the first victory against the development and use of illegal spyware that threatens the safety and privacy of everyone.” This verdict serves as a reminder to technology companies, governments, and all internet users to prioritize their safety and security online.
# Court Battle Details
* Case: Meta vs. NSO Group Technologies Ltd. * Verdict: $167 million in damages awarded to Meta * Outcome: NSO found guilty of installing spyware on journalists' and activists' WhatsApp accounts * Date: May 6, 2025
# Background
* The lawsuit was filed in 2019 after Citizen Lab discovered that NSO had installed Pegasus spyware on 1,400 WhatsApp accounts. * The attack led to widespread outrage and calls for greater regulation of spyware vendors. * NSO claimed sovereign immunity from the lawsuit, stating it worked closely with foreign government intelligence agencies.
# Conclusion
The verdict in this case marks an important step forward for privacy and security. As Meta Chief Will Cathcart wrote, "This should serve as a wake-up call for technology companies, governments, and all internet users." The court's decision serves as a reminder to prioritize safety and security online, and will likely have far-reaching implications for the tech industry and beyond.