NSO

Federal Jury Orders NSO Group to Pay $170 Million to WhatsApp in Landmark Spyware Case

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A federal jury in San Jose, California, has ordered the Israeli cybersecurity company NSO to pay nearly $170 million to WhatsApp after ruling that the firm used the messaging platform to spy on around 1,500 individuals, including journalists, human rights advocates, and political dissidents, in 2019. The jury’s decision marks the conclusion of a lengthy six-year legal battle. WhatsApp described the ruling as a significant outcome for privacy rights and a precedent against the misuse of illegal spyware. In its statement, the company highlighted the serious implications that the use of such technologies can have … Read more

Federal Jury Slaps NSO Group with $168 Million Verdict for Hacking WhatsApp Users Amid Ongoing Controversy Over Spyware Ethics

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OAKLAND, Calif. — A federal jury awarded $168 million to Meta Platforms Inc. on Tuesday after finding that the Israeli tech firm NSO Group unlawfully accessed the messaging service WhatsApp to hack the accounts of 1,400 users in 2019. In a statement following the verdict, NSO Group expressed its intention to appeal the decision, maintaining its defense of the Pegasus spyware, which it claims plays a vital role in combating crime and terrorism when used by authorized government agencies. NSO’s Vice President for Global Communications, Gil Kanier, emphasized that the jury’s ruling represents merely another … Read more

NSO Group Hit with $167 Million Penalty in WhatsApp Hacking Case

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AUSTIN, Texas — The Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group has been ordered to pay $167 million after being found liable for its role in hacking into the messaging platform WhatsApp. This ruling represents a significant legal setback for the company, which has faced numerous allegations regarding the misuse of its spyware technology. The court’s decision stems from a high-profile case initiated by WhatsApp in 2019, claiming that NSO Group facilitated cyberattacks on thousands of users. The company allegedly exploited a vulnerability in the app, enabling it to implant malicious software on devices belonging to targeted … Read more

Amnesty International Decries Thai Court’s Decision in NSO Group Spyware Case as Major Setback for Human Rights Advocates

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Bangkok, Thailand – Amnesty International has expressed grave concerns following a Thai court’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit against NSO Group Technologies, which was accused of misusing its Pegasus spyware. This ruling represents a severe blow to efforts aiming to protect privacy and human rights within the region. The case, initiated by Thai pro-democracy activist Jatupat Boonpattararaksa, also known as Pai Dao Din, centered on allegations that NSO Group failed to prevent the abusive deployment of its spyware against activists. Pai took legal action following alerts from Apple and a comprehensive 2022 report indicating that … Read more