3 sources·Technology

WhatsApp Wins Major Legal Victory Against NSO Group, Securing $168 Million in Damages

A federal jury ruled in favor of WhatsApp, ordering NSO Group to pay $168 million for exploiting software vulnerabilities to hack users' devices.

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WhatsApp’s lawsuit was unprecedented at the time because it was among the first to take aim at the unregulated industry selling sophisticated malware services to governments around the world.
Jury orders NSO to pay $167 million for hacking WhatsApp users
ARS Technica·2d
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It has also cast a unusual amount of light on the inner workings of the spyware industry.
Meta suit against Israel's NSO offered rare insight into world of cyberespionage
USA TODAY·2d
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Much about the spyware company’s targets and clients remains unknown, in part because the firm refused to hand over evidence.
Meta wins $168 million verdict against spyware company NSO
NBC News·2d
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Updated: May 6th, 2025, 10:32 PM ET

Summary

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WhatsApp successfully sued NSO Group for $168 million, comprising $444 million in compensatory and $167 million in punitive damages. The case involved exploitation of a WhatsApp vulnerability affecting thousands of users, including dissidents and journalists. WhatsApp emphasized the verdict as significant for privacy and security advocates. The case highlights the operations of NSO, which has been linked to abusive surveillance practices globally. The jury's decision sends a clear message that illegal spyware operations will face legal consequences, potentially impacting suppliers of similar technologies in the future.

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WhatsApp's legal victory against NSO Group is seen as a landmark case for privacy rights, signaling a strong deterrent against the illegal spyware industry.
The court's decision exposed NSO's practices and client list, contributing to transparency in the surveillance technology sector.
The lawsuit underscores the challenges victims of state-sponsored hacking face and serves as a warning to spyware companies about the potential consequences of their actions.

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