In 2019, owned by Meta WhatsApp files suit against NSO GroupAn Israeli cyber-intelligence firm for injunctions and damages. Meta accuses NSO Group of exploiting and installing a vulnerability in WhatsApp pegasus spy software On 1,400 devices, mostly journalists, human rights activists and political dissidents. Ultimately, a US judge has ruled against NSO for its wrongful practices.
According to this report of reutersU.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland ruled in Meta’s favor on Friday, December 20. The court held that NSO is liable for unauthorized breach and hacking into WhatsApp servers. The lawsuit will now continue to determine damages. The notorious Israeli cyber firm has not yet responded to this matter.
For context, NSO exploited a vulnerability in WhatsApp to install its Pegasus software on 1,400 devices. This allowed them to survey people such as journalists, human rights activists and dissidents. However, NSO argued that Pegasus is supposed to help government agencies protect national security by tracking and capturing terrorists, pedophiles and criminals.
WhatsApp head Will Cathcart shared a post on X expressing his views on the matter. Cathcart wrote, “We spent five years presenting our case because we firmly believe that spyware companies cannot hide behind immunity or avoid accountability for their unlawful actions.,
The WhatsApp-NSO issue has dragged on for quite a long time and it is a relief to see WhatsApp taking a stand in the interest of user privacy. We hope NSO will hear a word on this decision and also hear their views on this matter. Meanwhile, what do you think about this historic decision? Let us know in the comments below.
