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NSO Group must pay WhatsApp over $167M in damages for attacks on its users
- NSO Group has been ordered by a U.S. jury to pay WhatsApp over $167 million in damages for using Pegasus spyware to target over 1,400 individuals, violating U.S. laws.
- The jury ruling came after a five-year legal battle, with NSO Group being asked to pay punitive damages exceeding $167 million and compensatory damages exceeding $444,000.
- WhatsApp's post mentioned that the decision serves as a critical deterrent against malicious activities targeting American companies and users globally, highlighting the broader industry threat.
- NSO Group plans to examine the verdict details and pursue legal remedies, potentially including appeals, as stated by the company's spokesperson, Gil Lainer.
- The U.S. court's ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed in October 2019, accusing NSO Group of using WhatsApp to infect mobile devices with surveillance software like Pegasus.
- NSO Group was found liable for breaching WhatsApp's terms of service and utilizing the platform for malicious activities, leading to the enforcement of punitive measures by the court.
- WhatsApp's victory in the legal battle against NSO Group was hailed as a significant privacy win, emphasizing accountability for spyware firms exploiting vulnerabilities.
- NSO Group exploited a zero-day vulnerability in WhatsApp's voice calling feature (CVE-2019-3568) to install spyware like Pegasus, continuing to use such exploits even after legal actions were taken.
- The court revelation exposed how NSO Group's spyware infiltrates phones, accessing sensitive data and functionalities, targeting various platforms beyond WhatsApp and using different installation methods.
- NSO Group has been instructed to disclose detailed information about its spyware's functionality surrounding the period of alleged attacks, shedding light on its covert surveillance practices.
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