U.S. Court Finds Israeli NSO Group Liable for WhatsApp Spyware Hacking

A federal judge ruled that NSO Group violated U.S. laws by exploiting WhatsApp servers to deploy Pegasus spyware, targeting over 1,400 individuals globally.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton determined that NSO Group violated federal and California anti-hacking laws as well as WhatsApp's terms of service.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta, filed the lawsuit in 2019, accusing NSO of using its Pegasus spyware to target journalists, human rights activists, and political dissidents across 20 countries.
NSO Group argued that it merely provided spyware to government clients for national security purposes, but the court rejected this defense, holding the company directly accountable.
The judgment marks a significant precedent for holding spyware companies liable and will proceed to trial to determine the damages owed to WhatsApp.
Cybersecurity experts and privacy advocates hailed the decision as a landmark moment in the fight against illegal surveillance and the misuse of spyware.