A federal judge in California has ordered the Israeli cyber intelligence firm NSO Group to pay Meta and WhatsApp nearly $170 million for hacking approximately 1,400 users of the messaging app.
The company, known for its Pegasus surveillance tool, is set to pay $167,256,000 in punitive damages along with an additional $440,000 in compensation. This ruling marks a significant win for privacy advocates and Meta following six years of legal battles.
WhatsApp initially filed a lawsuit against NSO Group in 2019 after discovering that its Pegasus software had been used to compromise users’ devices. Reports have highlighted that Pegasus has been exploited to target human rights activists and journalists.
“The verdict in the WhatsApp case is a crucial advancement for privacy and security, representing a breakthrough against the illegal spyware that jeopardizes the safety and privacy of individuals,” WhatsApp stated on Tuesday.
The company emphasized that the judge’s decision to hold NSO accountable for damages is pivotal in deterring illicit practices within the spyware industry that threaten privacy and security for American companies and their users.
In response, NSO Group described the ruling as “another step in a lengthy judicial process,” asserting that its technology is vital for combating serious crimes and terrorism, and is used responsibly by authorized governmental bodies.
According to NSO’s Vice President of Global Communications, the journey is just beginning in terms of navigating the repercussions of this judgement.
The verdict, reached in December of last year, found NSO responsible for the hacking incident involving about 1,400 devices.
WhatsApp acknowledged that obtaining the awarded damages will be a long process but expressed determination to pursue it. Ultimately, the company hopes to donate to digital rights organizations that protect individuals from such threats globally.
