Pegasus-owner NSO asked to pay WhatsApp $167 million in damages for spying

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A US federal jury has ordered Israeli spyware firm NSO Group to pay over $167 million in punitive damages and approximately $444,000 in compensatory damages to WhatsApp over a 2019 cyberattack on the messaging platform.

WhatsApp, owned by Meta, filed the lawsuit after discovering that NSO's Pegasus spyware exploited a vulnerability in its audio calling feature, allowing unauthorised surveillance of around 1,400 users, including journalists, activists, and diplomats, in India and elsewhere. 

The court had in December last year ruled NSO liable for breaching US and California hacking laws, as well as WhatsApp's terms of service. 

The verdict marks the first time a spyware developer has been held financially accountable for illegal surveillance practices, setting a significant precedent in the tech industry.

Meta hailed the decision as a critical deterrent against the misuse of spyware and announced plans to seek a court order to prevent future intrusions by NSO.

Also Read: US court orders Israeli firm NSO to share Pegasus' code with WhatsApp

Also Read: NSO operated spyware Pegasus, not government clients, lawsuit reveals

The case also brought renewed attention to the global misuse of Pegasus spyware, including its deployment in India. 

Investigations revealed that in 2019, Pegasus was used to target Indian journalists, activists, and political figures, such as opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and political strategist Prashant Kishor. While the Indian government denied purchasing the spyware, reports suggested that Pegasus was acquired as part of a defense deal with Israel.