Federal Judge Blocks NSO Group from Targeting WhatsApp Users
A federal judge has granted Meta-owned WhatsApp's request for a permanent injunction blocking Israeli cyberintelligence company NSO Group from targeting the messaging app's users. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton on Friday, also dramatically reduced the fine that NSO Group must pay to Meta.
The decision comes after six years of litigation, which began in 2019 when a jury decided that NSO Group would have to pay Meta more than $167 million following a campaign that targeted over 1,400 WhatsApp users, including human rights activists and journalists. However, the punitive damages ratio was capped at 9 to 1 due to lack of evidence showing NSO Group's behavior was particularly egregious, reducing the payment to around $4 million.
"We applaud this decision that comes after six years of litigation to hold NSO accountable for targeting members of civil society," said Will Cathart, Head of WhatsApp, in a statement provided to Courthouse News Service. "This ruling bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again."
NSO Group recently confirmed that it is being acquired by U.S. investors, marking a significant shift in the company's ownership structure.
The case highlights the ongoing debate over the use of spyware and cyberintelligence tools by governments and private companies. Critics argue that such tools can be used to target human rights activists, journalists, and other vulnerable groups, while proponents claim they are essential for national security and law enforcement purposes.
The permanent injunction against NSO Group is a significant victory for WhatsApp and its users, who will no longer have to fear being targeted by the company's spyware. However, the reduced fine has raised questions about the effectiveness of punitive damages in holding companies accountable for their actions.
As the technology continues to evolve, experts predict that the use of spyware and cyberintelligence tools will only become more sophisticated. The ruling against NSO Group sets a precedent for future cases involving similar companies and technologies.
In related news, Meta has announced plans to continue investing in security measures to protect its users from targeted attacks. "We are committed to protecting our users' privacy and security," said a spokesperson for the company. "This decision is an important step towards holding accountable those who would seek to exploit our users."
*Reporting by Techcrunch.*
