Federal Judge Blocks NSO Group from Targeting WhatsApp Users Permanently
In a significant victory for privacy advocates, a US federal judge has granted WhatsApp's request for a permanent injunction against Israeli cyberintelligence company NSO Group, blocking them from targeting the messaging app's users. According to the ruling issued by Phyllis J. Hamilton of the US District Court of the Northern District of California on Friday, NSO Group must cease using its Pegasus spyware to target or infect WhatsApp users.
The lawsuit, brought against NSO Group in 2019 by WhatsApp owner Meta, alleged that the company had attempted to surreptitiously infect approximately 1,400 mobile phones with Pegasus. Many of these devices belonged to attorneys, journalists, human-rights activists, political dissidents, diplomats, and senior foreign government officials. As part of their campaign, NSO Group created fake WhatsApp accounts to target Meta users.
The permanent injunction significantly reduces the fine NSO Group must pay to Meta, from over $167 million to around $4 million. This decision marks a major victory for WhatsApp and its users, who were targeted by NSO Group's spyware in 2019.
According to a statement from WhatsApp, "This ruling is a significant win for our efforts to protect the security of our users' messages. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our users are protected from malicious actors like NSO Group." Meta spokesperson Daniela Woodhouse added, "We're pleased with the court's decision and believe it sends a strong message about the importance of protecting user privacy."
NSO Group has faced intense scrutiny in recent years over its Pegasus spyware, which has been linked to human rights abuses and government surveillance. The company has maintained that its software is only used for legitimate law enforcement purposes.
The permanent injunction against NSO Group marks a significant step forward in the fight for digital privacy. As experts note, this ruling sets an important precedent for protecting user data from malicious actors.
"This decision sends a clear message to companies like NSO Group: they will be held accountable for their actions," said Dr. Eva Galperin, Director of Cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). "We hope that this ruling will inspire other companies and governments to prioritize user privacy and security."
The permanent injunction against NSO Group is a significant victory for WhatsApp and its users, who can now rest assured that their messages are protected from malicious actors. As the case continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the fight for digital privacy has just become a little more secure.
Attribution:
Sources:
+ Ars Technica
+ Ars Technica UK
+ TechCrunch
Quotes and statements:
+ WhatsApp (Meta spokesperson Daniela Woodhouse)
+ Electronic Frontier Foundation (Dr. Eva Galperin)
This story was compiled from reports by Ars Technica, Ars Technica UK and TechCrunch.
