US court bans spyware firm NSO from breaking into WhatsApp

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A US court has permanently barred Israeli spyware maker NSO Group from attempting to hack Meta Platforms' WhatsApp service — a blow the company says could threaten its survival.

In a 25-page ruling on Friday, US District Judge Phyllis Hamilton granted Meta a permanent injunction against NSO, which has been accused of enabling governments to spy on activists, journalists, and opposition figures worldwide using its Pegasus surveillance software.

The court also sharply cut the damages NSO must pay Meta, reducing a jury award from US 167 million to USD 4 million, Reuters reported.

"Today's ruling bans spyware maker NSO from ever targeting WhatsApp and our global users again," WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart said on X, calling it the culmination of six years of litigation to hold the company accountable.

NSO, whose Pegasus tool exploits vulnerabilities in common apps, warned the injunction "would put [its] entire enterprise at risk." 

The company, recently acquired by a group led by Hollywood producer Robert Simonds, said it welcomed the damages cut but would review its legal options.

Also read: Apple warns iPhone users in 98 countries of 'mercenary attack'

In India, several opposition leaders, journalists, and activists were allegedly targeted between 2019 and 2021. 

Those said to have been compromised reportedly included Rahul Gandhi, political strategist Prashant Kishor, and multiple serving ministers.

In Parliament, the Narendra Modi government consistently denied purchasing Pegasus or authorising any surveillance using the tool. 

In 2021, the Supreme Court set up an independent committee to probe the allegations; its report, submitted in 2022, said no conclusive evidence of Pegasus use was found but noted that the government had not fully cooperated with the inquiry.

NSO maintains that it sells Pegasus only to government clients for law enforcement and counterterrorism purposes.