NSO Group, the maker of the infamous Pegasus spyware, has been held liable in a lawsuit filed by Meta’s WhatsApp, as reported by The Record.
Initially filed in 2019, the lawsuit revolves around allegations that Pegasus was used to target approximately 1,400 devices, including those of activists, journalists, and government officials.
In a significant legal development, the ruling found NSO Group guilty of violating the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the California Comprehensive Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, and breach of contract. While the company argued that Pegasus was operated by its clients for legitimate purposes like investigating crimes or addressing national security issues, the judge dismissed these defenses. This ruling may set a critical precedent for future cases involving spyware companies.
“This ruling is a huge win for privacy,” said Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, in a Threads post. “We spent five years presenting our case because we firmly believe that spyware companies could not hide behind immunity or avoid accountability for their unlawful actions. Surveillance companies should be on notice that illegal spying will not be tolerated.”
The trial will now proceed to determine damages. NSO Group has not stated the ruling. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the fight against unauthorized surveillance and underscores the growing accountability for spyware companies in the digital age.
