# Court Clash Between Meta and NSO Ends in $168 Million Defeat for Israeli Spyware Firm

In a landmark victory, Meta Platforms has emerged as the winner of a six-year-long court battle against the Israeli surveillance firm NSO, with the jury ruling that NSO owed Meta a staggering $168 million. The verdict marks a significant milestone in the fight against the exploitation of spyware and sets a crucial precedent for individuals seeking justice.

The case began in 2019, when WhatsApp filed a lawsuit against NSO, alleging that the company had unlawfully exploited a bug in its messaging service to plant spy software on users' phones. The trial was marked by intense scrutiny and controversy, with both parties taking hard stances and experts weighing in on the implications of the case.

The jury's verdict is a major blow to NSO, which has long been accused of exploiting vulnerabilities in smartphones for malicious purposes. Meta had already won a December ruling finding that NSO had indeed exploited a bug in WhatsApp, but the new verdict takes the case to a higher level.

"The court's decision sends a powerful message that companies like NSO will be held accountable for their actions," said Natalia Krapiva, a senior lawyer with the human rights group Access Now. "This is a victory not just for Meta, but for the millions of people around the world who are affected by these types of malicious attacks."

The case has far-reaching implications, both domestically and internationally. NSO has long argued that its software is used to track terrorists and pedophiles, but human rights advocates have repeatedly questioned the firm's claims. The WhatsApp verdict provides a crucial piece of evidence in this debate, demonstrating that companies like NSO can indeed be held accountable for their actions.

The case also sheds light on the inner workings of NSO itself, revealing the existence of a 140-person-strong research team with a $50 million budget devoted to exploiting security vulnerabilities in smartphones. The firm's clients, including Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia, were revealed through testimony during the trial, providing a glimpse into the murky world of spyware.

NSO has refused to hand over evidence about its targets and clients, leaving much of the picture shrouded in secrecy. However, the WhatsApp verdict is a crucial step forward in this fight for transparency.

"This whole case is shrouded in so much secrecy," said District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in her December ruling. "There's so much that's not known." The judge's words are echoed by many human rights advocates and experts, who have long criticized the lack of transparency surrounding spyware companies like NSO.

As the dust settles on this landmark case, one thing is clear: the fight against spyware exploitation will continue to be a crucial battleground. With verdicts like this, individuals can begin to hold companies accountable for their actions, paving the way for a safer and more secure world for all.