US Court Convicts Israeli NSO Group for WhatsApp Hack
A US court has ruled against the Israeli NSO Group, the developer of the controversial Pegasus spyware, in a significant legal battle concerning the hacking of WhatsApp. The ruling, delivered by Judge Phyllis Hamilton, found that NSO Group exploited a vulnerability in WhatsApp to install Pegasus on the devices of 1,400 individuals, including journalists and human rights activists, during a two-week period in May 2019. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing scrutiny of spyware companies and their operations.
The court determined that NSO Group violated U.S. federal hacking laws and breached WhatsApp's terms of service. As a result, the company is now facing a jury trial in March 2025 to assess the damages owed to WhatsApp, owned by Meta. Judge Hamilton has ordered NSO Group to submit the source code for its spyware by early 2024, although the company has been slow to comply with this directive. WhatsApp expressed gratitude for the ruling, emphasizing the need for accountability in the spyware industry.
NSO Group has maintained that its Pegasus software is designed to assist law enforcement and intelligence agencies in combating crime and terrorism. However, evidence presented in court contradicted this claim, revealing that NSO was directly responsible for the hacking activities. The implications of this ruling could resonate widely, as it challenges the practices of spyware firms and their claims of immunity from legal repercussions.
