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WhatsApp Wins Major Legal Battle Against NSO Group Over Pegasus Spyware


WhatsApp has secured a significant legal victory against NSO Group Technologies, the Israeli company behind the controversial Pegasus spyware. A U.S. court ruling on Friday (December 20) marks a critical turning point in the high-profile lawsuit filed by Meta's messaging app in 2019.
Allegations of Surveillance Using Pegasus
In its lawsuit, WhatsApp alleged that NSO Group deployed Pegasus spyware during a two-week period in May 2019 to infect and surveil the phones of 1,400 individuals, including journalists, human rights activists, and government officials. Known for its invasive capabilities, Pegasus was used to extract sensitive data from targets through WhatsApp.
Court Rules in WhatsApp’s Favor
U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton ruled in favor of WhatsApp, finding that NSO Group had violated federal and state hacking laws, along with WhatsApp's terms of service.
The court also determined that the spyware maker breached the U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, a major blow to the company. Judge Hamilton further noted that NSO Group obstructed legal proceedings by refusing to provide the spyware's source code, despite being ordered to do so by early 2024.
Instead, the company restricted access to the code within Israel and limited review to Israeli citizens, a move the judge deemed "impracticable." The case will now proceed to a jury trial in March 2025, where damages owed to WhatsApp will be assessed.
Strong Reaction from WhatsApp
Following the ruling, WhatsApp issued a statement: “After five years of litigation, we’re grateful for today’s decision. NSO can no longer evade accountability for their unlawful attacks on WhatsApp, journalists, human rights activists, and civil society.
This ruling sends a clear message to spyware companies that illegal actions will not be tolerated.”
Scrutiny on Pegasus and NSO Group
NSO Group has long claimed that Pegasus is used exclusively by government clients for national security purposes. However, court filings revealed otherwise: Evidence showed that NSO Group directly operated Pegasus, installing the spyware and extracting data, including photos, emails, and texts from WhatsApp and iPhones. Pegasus has been linked to cyberattacks by authoritarian regimes globally.
Victims of the 2019 breach included senior government officials, political dissidents, diplomats, and journalists. In 2021, the Biden administration blacklisted NSO Group, prohibiting U.S. agencies from purchasing its products.
Pegasus Scandal in India
The Pegasus spyware controversy created a political uproar in India in 2021. Allegations surfaced that the central government used Pegasus to monitor 300 individuals, including constitutional authorities, journalists, business leaders, and opposition figures.
However, in 2022, the Supreme Court of India stated that its technical expert committee found no conclusive evidence of Pegasus spyware in 29 examined devices. While malware was detected in five phones, it could not be directly linked to Pegasus.
A Landmark Decision
This ruling is a major win for WhatsApp and a step forward in protecting privacy rights. It also sets a strong precedent against the misuse of surveillance technologies, reinforcing accountability in the digital age.
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