US Judge rules NSO Group liable for hacking in WhatsApp lawsuit

December 21, 2024 / 8:19 PM

Sharjah 24 – Reuters: A US judge ruled in favour of Meta's WhatsApp, finding Israel's NSO Group liable for exploiting a bug to install spyware on devices, leading to unauthorised surveillance. The case will now proceed to trial over damages.

WhatsApp head Will Cathcart hailed the ruling as a victory for privacy, while cybersecurity experts called it a landmark decision. The lawsuit accused NSO of using its Pegasus spyware to target 1,400 individuals, including journalists and activists.

NSO had argued its software was intended for law enforcement but faced legal setbacks, including a refusal for immunity, with the US Supreme Court allowing the case to move forward.